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In a pivotal offseason move, the Indiana Pacers have agreed to re-sign center Isaiah Jackson to a three-year, $21 million deal, according to CAA representatives Drew Morrison and Sam Rose. The agreement comes at a time of transition for Indiana’s frontcourt, which saw the departure of longtime anchor Myles Turner earlier in free agency.
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Jackson, 23, is expected to play a significant role in the Pacers’ retooled big man rotation. Despite a major setback with a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in early November last season, the Pacers are showing strong confidence in Jackson’s long-term value and potential.
A Vote of Confidence After Injury
The Achilles injury kept Jackson sidelined for most of the 2024–25 season, limiting his ability to contribute and halting what had been steady year-over-year progress. The timing was particularly unfortunate, as Jackson had been carving out a niche as an energetic rim protector and lob threat.
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This new contract reflects Indiana’s belief in his recovery and long-term upside. Achilles tears are notoriously difficult injuries, but modern rehab and Jackson’s youth work in his favor. The Pacers’ decision to bring him back signals that team doctors and executives were satisfied with his medical evaluations and long-term outlook.
“We’ve seen what Isaiah can do when healthy,” said Pacers GM Chad Buchanan in a statement following the announcement. “He’s an elite athlete with defensive versatility and growing offensive confidence. We’re excited to have him back as part of our young core.”
Stats, Upside, and Role
In his last fully healthy season in 2023–24, Jackson averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in just under 17 minutes per game. Those numbers might seem modest, but they came in a limited role behind Turner and with a team still sorting through a crowded frontcourt.
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Advanced metrics painted a clearer picture of Jackson’s impact. His block rate ranked among the league’s best per-minute, and he showed flashes as a mobile defender capable of switching onto wings — a rare trait for a traditional center. Offensively, he thrived in pick-and-roll situations, often serving as a lob target for guards like Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard.
Jackson’s per-36 minute stats — 14.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks — offer a glimpse into what he could bring with an expanded role. Now, with Turner gone, that opportunity may finally arrive.
Rebuilding the Frontcourt
The Pacers’ frontcourt has undergone a near-complete overhaul in recent months. After Myles Turner, their defensive stalwart and floor-spacing big man, left in free agency, Indiana acted quickly to shore up its depth.
They re-signed James Wiseman, who also missed most of last season due to an Achilles injury, and traded for 7-footer Jay Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies. Both players bring different skill sets: Wiseman is a former No. 2 overall pick with untapped potential, while Huff offers rim protection and floor spacing thanks to his shooting touch.
However, Jackson’s return might be the most telling sign of Indiana’s long-term vision. He was originally acquired in a five-team trade in 2021 after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Since then, he’s become a developmental success story for the Pacers, showing steady improvement under the coaching staff’s guidance.
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Now, the Pacers are betting on internal growth rather than chasing a big-name free agent or making a blockbuster trade.
Depth and Flexibility
Head coach Rick Carlisle will now have a trio of bigs with varying strengths. Wiseman is a dynamic vertical athlete with scoring upside, Huff is a stretch-five who can protect the rim, and Jackson is a hybrid — mobile enough to guard in space, athletic enough to rim-run, and explosive enough to anchor the defense on switches.
Such diversity gives Indiana the ability to mix and match frontcourt pairings based on matchups. While none of the three are proven as long-term starters yet, Jackson’s re-signing hints at him potentially getting the first crack at the starting role.
Additionally, this deal is team-friendly. At $7 million per year, Jackson’s contract allows the Pacers to maintain financial flexibility. Should he stay healthy and continue to improve, the deal could turn into a steal by NBA standards, especially with the salary cap projected to rise in coming seasons.
A Career at a Crossroads
For Jackson, the next year will be pivotal. At 23, he’s entering what many see as a make-or-break season — not because of a lack of talent, but due to the lingering questions about durability and consistency.
Jackson has always had the physical tools: a near-7-foot frame, quick leaping ability, and instincts as a shot blocker. But his career so far has been stop-start due to injuries and inconsistent minutes. With Turner out of the picture, the road is finally clear for Jackson to establish himself.
If he can prove reliable and stay on the floor, this three-year deal could be just the beginning of a breakout stretch. If he falters, Indiana still has Wiseman and Huff as insurance.
Team Direction and Culture
The Pacers have quietly built one of the more intriguing young cores in the NBA. Led by All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and flanked by rising wings like Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker, the team is focused on development and chemistry.
Bringing Jackson back on a multi-year deal continues that trend. Instead of chasing high-priced veterans or rushing the rebuild, Indiana is investing in its homegrown talent. This is the same approach that saw them commit long-term to Haliburton and gradually build around his strengths.
Sources close to the team say Jackson has been a favorite within the locker room and coaching staff — known for his work ethic, coachability, and quiet leadership.
“Isaiah’s been through a lot,” said one Pacers assistant anonymously. “He’s worked hard through every setback, and everyone’s rooting for him. He’s a guy you want to succeed.”
Looking Ahead
With the roster nearly finalized heading into training camp, Jackson is expected to be a central figure in the Pacers’ new-look lineup. Barring setbacks, he will likely compete with Wiseman for the starting center spot, while Huff may serve as a high-IQ floor spacer off the bench.
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There will be growing pains, to be sure. All three bigs have something to prove, and Indiana will need strong health and chemistry to make a leap in the Eastern Conference. But with Haliburton running the offense and a promising group around him, the foundation is solid.
For Jackson, this deal is more than just a payday — it’s a second chance to fulfill his potential and reward the franchise that believed in him when injuries threatened to derail his trajectory.
If he can seize that chance, Indiana might have found not just a replacement for Turner, but a new defensive cornerstone for years to come.
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