The Indiana Pacers find themselves at a crossroads as the trade deadline approaches, and while the temptation to make a splash is always there, the smarter play might be to hold steady.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Pacers are deep into a rough season. At 11-35, they’re near the bottom of the league standings, and any hopes of a postseason run-let alone a return to the NBA Finals-are more wishful thinking than reality at this point.
But that doesn’t mean this season is a loss. In fact, it might be setting the stage for something much bigger.
Indiana’s front office has been linked to a number of big men in recent weeks, signaling a clear desire to find a long-term replacement for Myles Turner. And yes, names like Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker have come up in trade chatter, potentially as key pieces in any deal that brings in a new anchor at the five. But the Pacers don’t need to force a move just to say they made one.
The real goal here isn’t about salvaging this season-it’s about setting up the next one. And when you look at the bigger picture, the Pacers are in a pretty promising spot.
Tyrese Haliburton will be back from injury, and the Eastern Conference remains wide open. With a young, talented core already in place, Indiana has the pieces to make a leap in 2026-27.
The challenge is making sure they don’t compromise that future in a rush to fix the present.
That brings us to the trade deadline. Could Indiana make a minor move around the margins?
Sure. Swapping out an end-of-the-bench player wouldn’t hurt.
But when it comes to the bigger names-particularly someone like Mathurin-the Pacers need to tread carefully.
Mathurin is the most likely trade chip on the roster. He’s heading into restricted free agency this summer, and there are legitimate questions about his long-term fit in Rick Carlisle’s up-tempo system.
His game leans more iso-heavy, and that doesn’t always mesh with the pace-and-space style the Pacers are trying to run. That said, moving him just for the sake of moving him would be a mistake.
Here’s the reality: the market knows what Indiana knows. Mathurin’s contract situation is no secret, and neither is the Pacers’ need for a center.
That strips Indiana of a lot of leverage. Any deal involving Mathurin right now is unlikely to return equal value, and that’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re talking about a player with his scoring upside.
He may not be the cleanest system fit, but Mathurin is a walking heat check. He can get buckets in a hurry, and that kind of talent isn’t easy to find. Unless the right deal falls into their lap-and let’s be honest, that’s rare at the deadline-the Pacers are better off keeping him and reassessing in the offseason.
As for the center spot, it’s far from settled, but it’s also not worth panicking over. Jay Huff has had an uneven first year in Indiana, but there have been enough flashes to warrant a longer look.
He deserves the chance to finish out the season as the starter. The Pacers can revisit the position in the summer, when more options will be on the table and the pressure to make a quick fix won’t be looming.
There’s also the draft to consider. Indiana currently owns the second-worst record in the league, and that puts them in prime position for a top-five pick.
In a draft class that’s expected to be loaded with talent, that’s not a chip you want to risk for a short-term upgrade. Making a trade that improves the roster now could cost them a shot at a franchise-altering prospect-and that’s a gamble they don’t need to take.
All of this points to one thing: the best move the Pacers can make at this deadline might be no move at all. Let the season play out, give the young guys more reps, and keep their eyes on the bigger picture.
The pieces are already in place for Indiana to take a major step forward next season. There’s no need to rush the process.
The deadline is coming fast, and the Pacers will have decisions to make. But when you zoom out and look at the full landscape, the path forward looks pretty clear. Stay patient, stay focused-and let the foundation they’ve built continue to grow.