Indiana Pacers Urged to Acquire Two-Time All-Star Forward

The Indiana Pacers have a big offseason ahead after finishing with a 19-63 record in the 2025-26 season. It was a gap year for the Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton out for the year, but their risky trade for Ivica Zubac at the deadline caused them to lose the fifth overall pick.

As the Pacers look to get back to contention in the 2026-27 season, they could make a splash this offseason. One win-now target Indiana is predicted to target is two-time All-Star forward Zion Williamson.

Williamson would be an interesting target for the Pacers, but would be a very risky addition. He has two years remaining on a five-year $197.2 million deal. 

He is a very talented player who would add a scoring punch and could thrive alongside a playmaker of Haliburton's caliber. In the 2024-25 season, Haliburton played at a high level, leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals.

He averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from behind the arc.

Haliburton and Williamson would make some highlight-worthy plays and have exciting moments throughout the season.

However, Williamson has a poor injury history, which would be a concern in trading for someone with his contract.

In the 2025-26 season, Williamson had one of the healthiest seasons of his career, appearing in 62 games. He averaged 21 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists, shooting 60 percent from the field and 25 percent from three.

If they acquired Williamson, they would have a lineup that includes him, Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac. If healthy, that would easily be one of the best lineups in the league.

However, acquiring Williamson would require them to trade away their depth, potentially including Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, Ben Sheppard, and others. 

With Williamson's injury history, the Pacers should pass on acquiring him and keep their depth. While a deal to upgrade the roster is possible this offseason, it should be someone other than Williamson.

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