Pacers Urged to Land First-Round Pick Big Man in Trade

The Pacers would solve their center issues by making this trade.

Apr 9, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski (22) passes off the ball in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) in the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers still have a hole to fill in the starting lineup. They don't have a starting center that has experience in that realm now that Myles Turner is in Milwaukee.

More news: Pacers News: Rick Carlisle Extension Went Beyond Rewarding On-Court Work

Without Tyrese Haliburton playing next season, perhaps they just use next year to develop a starting center of the future with one of the four guys they have on the roster right now.

While the Pacers could decide to go that route, Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley has a trade proposal that would give them the center of the future that they crave.

Trade proposal has Pacers land center of the future

Here is the full trade proposal:

Indiana Pacers receive: Donovan Clingan

Portland Trail Blazers receive: Jarace Walker, a 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected) and a 2027 second-round pick (via UTA)

Clingan is a young guy who is still trying to find his way in the NBA, but he has shown the ability to block shots and the willingness to step out beyond the 3-point arc and try to shoot.

More news: Pacers' James Wiseman Making Significant Change Ahead of New Season

He certainly has the potential to be a pretty good player. Walker hasn't really been given a consistent chance to get the playing time he needs to develop, so perhaps he needs a change of scenery.

Unfortunately, this would not be the place to send him. Portland likely wouldn't make this trade simply because they don't need another wing. That's the one position they have a pretty good logjam at.

The Pacers must figure out the center position next season

Even if Indiana doesn't make a trade before the season starts to bring in a new center, which is unlikely, they have to figure out who fits the best at that spot.

If they don't like the play that they get from their guys before the trade deadline, they could decide to make a trade at that point. They have four guys to choose from on the roster right now.

How well those guys play will decide whether or not the Pacers will end up trying to get someone else available on the market.

Last year as a rookie, Clingan averaged 6.5 points. 7.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 53.9 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.