With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, it may be worth it for Indiana Pacers fans to monitor the team as they look to make a push in the second half of the season. The Pacers, despite their rocky start to the season, are three games over .500 and sit comfortably in the playoff picture. Furthermore, their only loss in 2025 so far was against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
There is a lot to like about this Pacers team, especially considering that they have nearly the exact same roster from last year's conference finals team still intact. However, that does not make them immune from making trades before the deadline, even if they are just minor deals in the grand scheme of things.
While nothing is imminent, the Pacers could realistically make a trade or two to solidify their roster in hopes of another deep playoff run. To this point, players like Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard, and Myles Turner have all popped up as potential trade candidates for the Pacers. However, there is one more notable player who may have already played his final game in Indiana that the team could move on from by February.
Isaiah Jackson may have already played his last game for the Pacers
In his first three seasons in Indiana, big man Isaiah Jackson looked like a promising asset. He immediately showcased his athleticism and high energy, two traits that fit Indiana's system perfectly. However, he was constantly competing for backup minutes with players like Jalen Smith and Goga Bitadze. That was partially set to change this year.
Last summer, the Pacers moved on from Smith, who joined the Chicago Bulls. The team went on to sign James Wiseman, but there were plenty of reasons to believe Jackson would be their primary backup center. Unfortunately, both of them suffered season-ending Achilles tears. And, despite being eligible for one, Jackson did not sign a rookie-scale contract extension ahead of his contract year.
Set to be a free agent this offseason, there was already a decent chance the Pacers were going to move on from Jackson. However, this idea has become even more likely with the emergence of Thomas Bryant, who the Pacers acquired from the Miami Heat in December. Bryant has played very well in his role with the Pacers thus far and is already becoming a legitimate contributor. There is still a lot of basketball left to be played, but if Bryant keeps this up, it could make sense for the Pacers to retain him and move on from Jackson.
Even though he is out for the year, Jackson is a trade candidate (much like Wiseman could still be as well), especially if the Pacers are buyers and need to make salaries match as part of a package. Regardless of how it happens, it looks increasingly likely that Jackson will suit up for another team next year.