The Pacers Post Up

Day 9 of our 12 Days of Centers series brings a special 2-for-1 — and it’s a dream scenario. We take a deep dive into Miami Heat bigs Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, two very different centers who both feel unlikely based on contract and availability… but would completely change the Pacers ceiling if the door ever cracked open. Bam represents the ultimate plug-and-play veteran: elite defensive versatility, playmaking from the five, switchability, and a skill set that checks almost every box this roster needs. Ware, on the other hand, is the upside swing — a young, bouncy big who adds rim protection, vertical spacing, and a growing stretch element that fits perfectly with Indiana’s pace and offensive identity. Neither path is likely realistic — and that’s kind of the point. As we get deeper into the series, this episode is about exploring the ideal fits and understanding what the Pacers would look like if they swung for the fences.

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Brad and Ryan roll on with The 12 Days of Centers by examining Robert Williams III, one of the most impactful defensive centers in the league when healthy. “Time Lord” brings elite rim protection, explosive vertical spacing, and a proven ability to anchor a top-tier defense at the highest level. The guys break down Williams’ fit next to Tyrese Haliburton, highlighting his lob gravity, help-side instincts, and playoff-tested defensive presence. They also dive into the elephant in the room—durability. With a lengthy injury history, the conversation centers on risk vs. reward, contract value, and whether Indiana could manage his minutes while maximizing his elite skill set. Is Robert Williams III a ceiling-raising defensive swing worth betting on—or too volatile to build around long term? Day 8 breaks it all down.

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Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with a deep dive on Nic Claxton, one of the most intriguing defensive bigs on the market. Claxton brings elite switchability, rim protection, and mobility—traits that fit seamlessly next to Tyrese Haliburton in an up-tempo system. The guys break down Claxton’s evolution in Brooklyn, his ability to guard in space while still protecting the rim, and why his vertical spacing and defensive versatility could unlock another level for the Pacers. They also discuss the concerns: limited offensive creation, durability questions, and what the realistic trade price might look like. Is Claxton the modern defensive anchor Indiana has been missing—or is the cost too steep for a non-scoring center? All that and more in Day 7.

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Brad continues the 12 Days of Centers with one of the most proven defensive anchors in the NBA: Jarrett Allen. A rim-running big with elite rebounding, shot-blocking, and vertical spacing, Allen brings exactly the kind of interior presence the Pacers have lacked for years. We break down his fit next to Tyrese Haliburton as a lob threat and screen-setter, his ability to clean up defensive mistakes, and whether his contract and skill set align with Indiana’s long-term Finals aspirations. The big question: is Allen the steady, no-nonsense center who helps raise the Pacers floor — or does his limited offensive range cap the ceiling of this roster?

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Day 5 of the 12 Days of Centers focuses on the most intriguing option already in the building: Jay Huff. Of all the bigs currently on the roster, Huff has shown the most tangible promise this season — anchoring the paint, leading the league in blocks, and adding a legitimate stretch element with his three-point shooting. Brad and Ryan break down why Huff’s skill set fits seamlessly with the Pacers style: rim protection on one end, floor spacing on the other, and the ability to thrive in a fast, read-and-react offense. Factor in his extremely team-friendly contract, and Huff’s value becomes even more compelling. If his recent stretch of play over the last 10 games is real — and sustainable with higher minutes — the conversation may shift from stopgap option to legitimate starting center on a title-contending team.

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Day 4 of the 12 Days of Centers takes a look at Daniel Gafford, one of the league’s most efficient rim runners and a constant vertical threat around the basket. Brad and Ryan break down what makes Gafford intriguing for the Pacers — elite finishing at the rim, legit size, shot-blocking instincts, and the ability to thrive as a lob target in a high-tempo offense. While Gafford hasn’t been a consistent full-time starter throughout his career, his success as a high-level backup raises an interesting question: could he take a leap next to a playmaker like Tyrese Haliburton? It’s a good, not great option — but one that checks a lot of boxes and should absolutely be on the Pacers radar as they search for a long-term answer at center.

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Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with one of the most intriguing names to hit the rumor mill: Walker Kessler. Following yesterday’s report from Shams Charania that the Pacers are expected to be aggressive in their search for a long-term center, Kessler’s name has surfaced as a realistic target. We break down Kessler’s profile as a legitimate rim-running lob threat, elite shot blocker (2.4 BPG for his career), and developing stretch-big, who showed promising three-point flashes before undergoing labrum surgery just five games into his fourth season. At only 24, his upside as a defensive anchor and efficient play-finisher is undeniable. But what would the price tag be? Is he worth a blue-chip asset—even someone like Bennedict Mathurin? And is Kessler actually the long-term fit next to Tyrese Haliburton that Indiana should invest in? We dig into all of it. Plus…Phillip Rivers.

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Brad and Ryan continue The 12 Days of Centers with a familiar face: Domantas Sabonis. A former Pacer and fan favorite, Domas brings a rare blend of playmaking, rim-running, rebounding, and elite passing that few bigs in the league can match. We revisit his trajectory since leaving Indy, break down how his offensive versatility could elevate the Pacers’ system, and explore whether a reunion with Tyrese Haliburton in 2027 could unlock an even higher ceiling for a franchise chasing its next Finals run.

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Brad and Ryan kick off The 12 Days of Centers with a legitimate candidate whose name has been swirling in the rumor mill: Ivica Zubac. Fresh off a career year with the Clippers, Zubac brings size, physicality, and a proven track record of elite screen-setting and interior play. We break down how his game translates to Indiana, his potential fit next to Tyrese Haliburton once he returns in 2027, and whether Zubac could be the long-term defensive anchor the Pacers need for another Finals push.

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Brad and Ryan reunite for a full State of the Union on the Pacers after their brief two-game win streak comes to an abrupt end with losses to Cleveland and Denver. The guys dig into the biggest emerging theme of the season: the head scratching scoring lulls—including a brutal 22–3 Denver run to end the first half—that Indiana simply can’t survive despite otherwise solid play. They break down big nights from Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray, the return of Johnny Furphy, continued positives from Jay Huff, and Ben Sheppard’s improved shooting. The episode closes with a league-wide lens, touching on Giannis and the Bucks and what his long-term future might actually look like outside Milwaukee.

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