The Indiana Pacers are gearing up to enter the 2025-26 regular season with a concerningly thin depth chart at center. Losing Myles Turner has proven devastating, with Indiana effectively forced to turn to unproven commodities for any hope of consistency at the 5-spot.
Thankfully, the Pacers can find a temporary fix to the problem they face by trading for Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards—a realistic option to consider.
Turner signing with the Milwaukee Bucks has proven unmatched in its devastation to the Pacers' 2025-26 plans. That, of course, is said within the context of entering the offseason expecting to play this coming season without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Indiana has a wealth of perimeter talent, however, including T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard, while its center rotation is generally comprised of bigs with limited experience.
Tony Bradley and Isaiah Jackson played 100 percent of their minutes at center in 2024-25, and are likely to do the same in 2025-26. Jay Huff should help create depth with his offensive rebounding, shot-blocking, and three-point shooting.
If the Pacers are looking for a more proven and productive commodity to rely on, however, Richards is a low-cost option on a team with minimal leverage in trade discussions.
Nick Richards can provide Pacers with interior stability in 2025-26
Bradley is a goliath at 6'11" and 248 pounds, but he's never played more than 16.3 minutes per game. Jackson is an intriguing talent Indiana is clearly invested in, but he's also 6'9" and 205 pounds. Jay Huff is a titan at 7'1" and 240 pounds, but he's played 95 games in four seasons.
Richards, meanwhile, is a 7'0" and 245-pound center who has played at least 22.0 minutes per game in each of the past two seasons—and has impressed during that time.
Richards finished the 2024-25 season averaging 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, and 1.0 block in 22.0 minutes per game. That translates to 15.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, 4.2 offensive boards, and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes.
Furthermore, Richards ranked No. 11 in the NBA in rebounding percentage in 2024-25, as well as No. 13 in defensive rebounding percentage and No. 16 in offensive rebounding percentage.
A proven commodity as a finisher inside, a rebounder on both ends of the floor, and an at least adequate defender, Richards would instantly improve Indiana's outlook at center. Best of all: He's a realistically attainable target on a team that's depleted its leverage.
Phoenix drafted center Khaman Maluach and traded for big man Mark Williams this summer, thus making Richards the third 5 on the roster—all but guaranteeing that he'll be traded.
Compounded by his team-friendly $5 million expiring salary, Richards' departure seems inevitable. The Suns will find it difficult to play three rim-running bigs together in any combination, and are clearly prioritizing the development of younger talent.
With this in mind, the Pacers can pursue a trade for Richards at a reasonable cost and improve the depth of their own roster in an ideal manner.