The Indiana Pacers are facing a pivotal decision as they consider how to fill their 15th roster spot. One name that stands out is Quenton Jackson, a two-way player who has been making waves.
With his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, and given that he's in his fourth NBA season, Jackson won't be eligible for another two-way deal next year. This means Indiana needs to act if they want to keep him around.
The Pacers have some financial wiggle room under the luxury tax threshold, which allows them to offer Jackson either the veteran’s minimum or slightly more for the remainder of the season. With the deadline for two-way contracts approaching on March 4, the team needs to decide quickly if they want to promote Jackson and fill his two-way slot.
In other Pacers news, second-year guard Johnny Furphy recently underwent surgery in Chicago to repair a torn right ACL. The team has ruled him out for the rest of the 2025/26 season, and he’s likely to miss a significant portion of the next season as well, based on typical recovery timelines.
Rookie guard Kam Jones, who had a delayed start to his NBA career due to a back injury, has been making the most of his recent opportunities. Since returning, he’s been logging significant minutes and impressing head coach Rick Carlisle with his smart play. Carlisle highlighted the challenges Jones faced in catching up after missing early conditioning and rhythm work, but noted that Jones is now in much better shape.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are dealing with other injury concerns. While there’s hope that Obi Toppin might return from foot surgery for the game against Charlotte, the team remains shorthanded.
Star forward Pascal Siakam is listed as doubtful due to a left wrist sprain. Siakam had just returned from a hamstring injury but was sidelined again after hurting his wrist in a recent game against Philadelphia.
As the Pacers navigate these roster challenges, the decisions they make in the coming days could have significant implications for the team's future.