Indiana’s backup center spot is still up for grabs, and Chad Buchanan isn’t handing it to anyone just yet.
Speaking on the Setting The Pace podcast, the Pacers general manager made it clear that Larry Nance Jr., Jay Huff and even Obi Toppin are all in the mix behind Ivica Zubac. Buchanan said the job will be earned in camp, and that the answer could change from night to night depending on what Indiana needs.
“(Nance has) gotta come in and earn it. Jay Huff has gotta earn those backup minutes as well.
You have Obi as an option to come in and play some backup five,” Buchanan said. “There's different looks that our coaches could utilize at the backup center spots.
There's might be some nights where our coaches will value the defensive versatility in Larry as opposed to the shooting and rim protection that Jay provides. It's probably going to be night-to-night who plays there, but heading into camp it's an open competition at this point.”
That competition got more crowded after Indiana waived Micah Potter on July 9 to open a roster spot for Nance. The Pacers brought Nance in on a one-year veteran minimum deal worth roughly $3.9 million, with about $2.45 million counting against the cap under the veteran minimum exception.
Potter actually posted the stronger numbers last season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game while shooting 51.5% from the field, 42.3% from 3-point range and 84.2% from the free throw line. Nance, meanwhile, played 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and put up 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes as injuries limited him.
Buchanan said Nance was the best frontcourt free agent the Pacers could realistically land this summer.
“I think our coaches felt really comfortable with his basketball IQ, his experience, and just his personality felt like a really good fit with our locker room as well,” Buchanan said. “Larry really had targeted us, wanted to be here with the Pacers and I think he's very motivated to have a bounce-back season.
I think he would be the first to admit that last year didn't go the way he hoped it would. He's very motivated to come in and fit in and play well for us this season.”
Nance turned 33 in January and is heading into his 12th NBA season. The former No. 27 overall pick out of Wyoming has played for the Lakers, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Hawks, then returned to Cleveland last summer. In 2024-25 with Atlanta, he appeared in 32 games and averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists before a nondisplaced fracture in his right knee ended his season in early February.
The Pacers also have Huff in the picture after acquiring him from the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason for a second-round pick and a second-round pick swap, the same summer Myles Turner signed with Milwaukee. Earlier this offseason, Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Huff and Potter would battle for the backup center role.
Toppin is the other option Buchanan brought up, and Rick Carlisle used him at the five in smaller lineups last season.
Indiana’s roster math is tight after signing Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year deal worth about $16.5 million, which pushed the team to the first apron. After Potter was waived and before Nance signed, the Pacers were $4.7 million below that line with 13 players. Nance’s addition brought that figure to about $2.24 million with 14 contracts.
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