The Indiana Pacers already have a clear centerpiece for the window they’re in now: Tyrese Haliburton. Pascal Siakam is still in his prime, and Ivica Zubac gives them the kind of interior presence they had been chasing. But once you move past the present and start looking ahead, the real question gets tougher: who should Indiana make sure it keeps when the next championship window opens?
That’s the debate here, and there isn’t just one clean answer. The strongest cases land on Andrew Nembhard, Siakam, and Zubac, with Haliburton obviously untouched as the franchise player.
For my money, Nembhard is the cleanest fit. He’s 26 and will turn 27 at the beginning of the new year, which puts him right on Haliburton’s timeline.
That matters. Haliburton is at his best when he’s running the offense, pushing the pace, and setting the table for everyone else.
Nembhard gives Indiana another ball handler who can ease that load without needing the ball in his hands all the time.
His defense is what really pops. Nembhard’s on-ball work is arguably his best trait, and he keeps taking on tough perimeter matchups.
That gives the Pacers a backcourt partner for Haliburton who helps cover for him on that end. If Nembhard’s three-point shot becomes consistently reliable, the fit gets even cleaner.
At that point, he’d be able to defend, handle, create for others, attack off the dribble and serve as a secondary playmaker while also stretching the floor.
That kind of package is why his next contract could become one of the most interesting decisions Indiana faces. If his game keeps growing over the next two seasons, the price tag could climb fast. Still, the age, the fit and the way he makes Haliburton’s job easier on both ends keep pulling the conversation back to him.
There’s also a real argument for Zubac, and that case is built differently. The Pacers gave up a lot to get him, including the No. 5 overall pick, Mathurin, Jackson, and other picks.
Even if he only ends up in Indiana for the next two seasons, the trade could still be worth it. But when a team pays that kind of price, it wants more than a short stop.
Zubac is 29, and the expectation here is that he can stay one of the top centers in the league for another 4-5 years. If he’s anywhere close to the player he was two seasons ago, Indiana should want him around for the long haul.
He’s an elite two-way force, which showed up in his Defensive Player of the Year campaign in the 2024-25 season, when he averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds. Put him next to Haliburton and the thought is that his production only goes up.
Siakam belongs in this conversation too. He’s been a major part of turning Indiana into a contender, and the Pacers would feel his absence if he weren’t there. He remains one of the team’s most important players.
Aaron Nesmith is already locked in through the 2028-29 season, which only adds another layer to how Indiana has to think about its roster. Age, fit and production are the key factors, and the next two seasons will tell the Pacers a lot about which players should stay beside Haliburton when the next version of this team takes shape.
That’s why the answers split the way they do. Nembhard represents continuity next to Haliburton.
Zubac represents the kind of center solution Indiana has spent years trying to find. Both paths make sense, and both could matter when the Pacers start building their next championship window.
In Other News...
Pacers Could Exploit Portlands Roster Crunch For A Needed Upgrade
Portlands trade for Ja Morant has created a logjam that could force the Trail Blazers to make some uncomfortable choices with the rest of their roster. With multiple players now fighting for limited minutes, the Blazers may have to look at ways to rebalance the rotation, and that kind of squeeze often opens the door to deals involving veterans and younger pieces alike. For a Pacers team always looking for ways to tighten the edges of its roster, that is the sort of situation worth watching.
Indiana has needs of its own, and Portlands crunch could put some appealing names within reach. Jrue Holiday, Vit Kreji and other pieces could become part of the conversation if the Blazers decide they need more clarity in their lineup, while the Pacers would also be keeping an eye on larger swings involving Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe or Scoot Henderson. Nothing is settled yet, but the overlap between Portlands surplus and Indianas needs makes this one of those trade lanes that can shift quickly if the Blazers decide to act. [Read more 🡒]
Pascal Siakam Faces A Bigger Pacers Question Than Any Ranking
Pascal Siakams place in the league conversation still looks sturdy, even if the broader Pacers outlook is shifting around him. HoopsHype ranked him No. 8 among NBA power forwards heading into the 2026-27 season, a nod to the blend of scoring, size and versatility he brought to Indiana after producing 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season.
The more interesting Pacers question is how that production looks once Tyrese Haliburton is back in the mix and the offense regains its usual shape. Siakams game has always fit best when he can attack from different spots and punish mismatches, but the return of another high-end creator changes the balance of touches, reads and late-game responsibility in a way Indiana will have to sort out quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Jarace Walker Might Be Facing His Biggest Pacers Season Yet
Jarace Walker already gave the Pacers a reason to believe last season, putting together career highs in points, rebounds and assists while carving out a larger role in the rotation. Now, as Bleacher Reports Greg Swartz sees it, he has a chance to be Indianas top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season, a spot that speaks to how much the franchise thinks his game can still grow.
The path wont be as simple as a clean runway into the starting five, though. With Tyrese Haliburton expected back and Indiana projecting a first unit of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac, Walker is set to come off the bench for now, which makes his next leap even more interesting. If the Pacers do make roster changes around him, the question becomes whether Walker can turn a stronger reserve role into the kind of season that changes his standing in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]