It appears that Isaiah Jackson will probably be the Indiana Pacers' starting center next year, and fortunately for him, Rick Carlisle seems to be a big fan of his. More specifically, Carlisle is a fan of Jackson's athleticism, boldly labelling him as one of the most athletic players he has ever seen across every sport (h/t Green Light with Chris Long).
"[Isaiah Jackson] is one of the best athletes I've ever seen in any sport," Carlisle said. "His stride, his ability to elevate, I mean, it's just otherworldy."
There is a lot to like about Jackson, and his athleticism might be at the top of that list. It remains to be seen how he will play coming off an Achilles injury, but he has the potential to be the team's center of the future.
As Indiana looks to navigate life without Myles Turner, it sounds like there will be a committee at center. This could backfire if nobody stands out, but it also might be the right call to give opportunities to multiple players. Regardless, it is fair to say this is Jackson's spot to lose, and what he makes of his opportunity could decide what the Pacers' long-term future will look like.
The Pacers are not going to replace Myles Turner
There were pros and cons to losing Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason for Indiana. On one hand, they will not have to go into the luxury tax to keep him, and he played horribly in the NBA Finals. Additionally, he showed signs of regression last season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. However, the Texas native was also easily their best center option, and it is going to be difficult for the team to replace him.
Despite his flaws, Turner was fantastic at stretching the floor and protecting the rim. There are few big men in the league with his skillset, and he was a great fit in Indiana's system. He was also the perfect complement alongside Pascal Siakam.
It was always going to be a challenge for the Pacers to replace their long-time big man, and it seems that they agree. Instead of committing to one specific replacement, they are going to experiment a little and audition a few guys. Beyond Jackson, the Pacers also have Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley in the mix. All these players provide value in different ways and could be legitimate contributors next season. However, Jackson still stands out the most.
The 23-year-old is a good fit in Indiana's system and has had some big moments during his tenure with the team so far. He does not have much of an outside game, which could hurt his value. This is especially true as he will probably be Turner's direct replacement. However, he is still young and evolving. If he can develop any type of jumpshot, that would be huge for him and the team.
Next year is likely to be a gap year for Indiana. With no Turner or Tyrese Haliburton, legitimate title contention seems unlikely. Even so, they still have a bright future and should be able to contend for the long haul. Whether Jackson will be their starting center or not as they aim to get back to the NBA Finals remains to be seen.