Isaiah Jackson’s Redemption: How the Pacers’ Center Will Silence Critics in 2025-26

The Indiana Pacers’ decision to re-sign center Isaiah Jackson to a three-year, $21 million contract in July 2025 raised eyebrows across the NBA, with critics on X and in the media questioning the move for a player who appeared in just five games last season due to a torn Achilles. Labeled a risky gamble by some, the extension reflects the Pacers’ confidence in the 23-year-old’s potential to fill the void left by Myles Turner’s departure to the Milwaukee Bucks. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Pacers view Jackson as a key piece of their young core, and his expanded role in the 2025-26 season, alongside the absence of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, could prove the front office’s foresight. With his athleticism, rim protection, and untapped offensive potential, Jackson is poised to silence the ridicule and show that Indiana will have the last laugh. This article explores Jackson’s journey, the context of his contract, the Pacers’ center crisis, and why 2025-26 could be his breakout year.

Isaiah Jackson’s NBA Journey

Drafted 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 and traded to Indiana in a five-team deal, Isaiah Jackson arrived with high expectations as a 6-foot-10 center from Kentucky. Known for his elite athleticism and shot-blocking, Jackson averaged 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 36 games (15 starts) as a rookie in 2021-22, shooting 56.3% from the field, per Basketball-Reference. His second season (2022-23) saw him play a career-high 63 games, averaging 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 59.5% shooting, showcasing his potential as a rim-running, defensive anchor, per NBA.com.

In 2023-24, Jackson’s role grew slightly, averaging 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 13.1 minutes across 59 games, per ESPN. His efficiency (66.5% field goals) and highlight-reel dunks earned him a cult following among Pacers fans, but inconsistent minutes behind Myles Turner and Jalen Smith limited his impact. The 2024-25 season was derailed by a torn right Achilles tendon in November 2024, restricting him to five games (2.8 points, 2.2 rebounds), per Spotrac. Despite the setback, Jackson’s flashes of brilliance, like a 12-point, 6-rebound performance against Charlotte in 2023-24, kept the Pacers’ front office optimistic, per 8points9seconds.com.

The Controversial Contract Extension

On July 11, 2025, Jackson signed a three-year, $21 million extension with Indiana, with a $7.6 million cap hit for 2025-26, per Spotrac. Reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal sparked debate due to Jackson’s injury history and limited sample size. X posts reflected the skepticism, with @NBAFan123 tweeting, “$21M for a guy who played 5 games last year? Pacers wildin’,” and @HoopsGuru questioning, “Who is Isaiah Jackson and why is Indiana paying him?” Critics pointed to his Achilles injury, a significant concern for a player reliant on athleticism, and his career average of 7.2 points in 163 games, per Deadspin.

Pacers fans and insiders, however, defended the move. IndyStar noted that GM Chad Buchanan and President Kevin Pritchard view Jackson as a “long-term frontcourt piece” with untapped potential. His per-36-minute stats in 2023-24 (17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) suggest starter-level production, per NBA.com. The Pacers’ decision to extend Jackson, rather than let him hit unrestricted free agency in 2026, reflects confidence in his recovery and fit alongside Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin, per The Playoffs.

The Pacers’ Center Crisis and Jackson’s Opportunity

Myles Turner’s departure to Milwaukee on a four-year, $108.9 million deal in July 2025 left a gaping hole at center, per Sports Illustrated. Turner’s 1.9 blocks and 34.7% three-point shooting were integral to Indiana’s 2024-25 Finals run, and his exit, coupled with Haliburton’s season-long Achilles injury, has lowered expectations, with ESPN projecting a 40-42 record, per beIN SPORTS. The Pacers’ center rotation—Jackson, Jay Huff, and James Wiseman—lacks proven starters, making Jackson’s role critical, per Sporting News.

Jackson’s opportunity stems from necessity. Huff, acquired from Memphis, offers floor spacing (40.2% from three) but lacks defensive presence, while Wiseman, a former No. 2 pick, struggles with consistency, per FanSided. Jackson’s athleticism, 66.5% shooting near the rim, and 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes in 2023-24 position him as the frontrunner to start, per NBA.com. His ability to run the floor in Indiana’s up-tempo offense (third in points per game at 120.5) and protect the rim could address the void left by Turner, per 8points9seconds.com.

Why Jackson Will Silence Critics

Several factors suggest Jackson is poised for a breakout in 2025-26:

1. Increased Role: With Turner gone, Jackson is projected to start, potentially playing 25-30 minutes per game, up from 13.1 in 2023-24, per CBS Sports. This could translate to 10-12 points, 6-8 rebounds, and 1.5-2 blocks, showcasing his impact.
2. Athleticism and Recovery: Despite his Achilles injury, Jackson’s youth (23 years old) and rehab progress, reported by IndyStar as “ahead of schedule,” suggest a return to his explosive form. His 2023-24 dunks (1.2 per game) and blocks highlight his athletic upside, per Basketball-Reference.
3. Fit with Siakam and Nembhard: Jackson’s rim-running complements Siakam’s playmaking (4.3 assists) and Nembhard’s pick-and-roll execution (5.7 assists), per ESPN. His lob-catching ability, seen in a 10-point, 4-dunk game against Toronto in 2023-24, fits Indiana’s fast-paced style, per 8points9seconds.com.
4. Defensive Potential: Jackson’s 1.5 blocks per game and 7-foot wingspan make him a rim-protecting force, crucial against Eastern Conference bigs like Joel Embiid and Nikola Vucevic, per FanSided. Improving his defensive discipline (3.1 fouls per 36 minutes) will be key, per NBA.com.

Sporting News argued, “Jackson might quickly prove that his contract was a far smarter move than many folks thought,” citing his potential to anchor the defense. His Summer League performance in July 2025, averaging 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, showed no lingering injury effects, per Forbes.

Challenges and Risks

Jackson faces significant hurdles. His Achilles injury, a concern for athletic bigs, could limit his explosiveness, per Deadspin. His limited offensive game—relying on lobs and putbacks—needs expansion, with only 0.4 assists per game in 2023-24, per Basketball-Reference. Defensively, he struggles with positioning, allowing 48.9% shooting at the rim in 2023-24, per NBA.com. The Pacers’ thin center rotation means Jackson must stay healthy, as Huff and Wiseman lack his defensive upside, per beIN SPORTS. Facing Milwaukee’s Turner and Giannis Antetokounmpo on November 3, 2025, will test his readiness, per ClutchPoints.

The Pacers’ Strategic Context

Indiana’s 2025-26 season is a “gap year” to evaluate their young core, per FanSided. Haliburton’s absence and Turner’s exit lower expectations, but Siakam (21.7 points), Nembhard (14.9 points), and Mathurin (14.9 points) provide hope, per ESPN. The Pacers’ reluctance to pay the luxury tax, per Forbes, necessitated Jackson’s extension over costlier options like re-signing Turner. A trade for a center like Clint Capela could involve Mathurin or draft picks, but Jackson’s $7.6 million cap hit is cost-effective, per Spotrac. Success could see him emerge as a long-term starter, per CBS Sports.

Fan and Media Reactions

The ridicule of Jackson’s contract was evident on X, with @NBATalk tweeting, “Pacers giving $21M to a guy who barely played last year? Bold or dumb?” Pacers fans countered, with @PacersPride posting, “Y’all sleeping on Isaiah Jackson. He’s about to eat with Turner gone .” Media outlets are split. IndyStar praised the Pacers’ faith in Jackson’s “development trajectory,” while Deadspin called the deal a “risky bet on potential.” 8points9seconds.com argued, “Jackson’s athleticism and shot-blocking will make critics eat their words.”

Jackson’s Path to Redemption

To silence critics, Jackson must stay healthy and capitalize on his starting role. A stat line of 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, with 65% shooting, is achievable, per CBS Sports. Improving his rebounding (11.0 per 36 minutes) and reducing fouls will solidify his case, per NBA.com. His chemistry with Siakam, seen in pick-and-roll lobs during 2023-24, could elevate Indiana’s offense, per Forbes. Coach Rick Carlisle’s trust, evident in his praise of Jackson’s “energy” post-injury, suggests a breakout is imminent, per IndyStar.

The Broader Implications

Jackson’s success could reshape the Pacers’ future. A strong season would validate their $21 million investment and address the center crisis, per The Playoffs. Paired with Siakam and a returning Haliburton in 2026-27, Jackson could form a defensive anchor, per HoopsHype. Failure, however, might force Indiana to pursue costlier centers like Nikola Vucevic, depleting assets, per beIN SPORTS. The November 3, 2025, matchup against Turner’s Bucks will be a litmus test, per NBA.com.

Isaiah Jackson’s three-year, $21 million extension, met with ridicule from some fans and analysts, positions him to prove doubters wrong in 2025-26. With Myles Turner in Milwaukee and Tyrese Haliburton sidelined, Jackson’s opportunity to start at center could transform the Pacers’ outlook, per ESPN. His athleticism, shot-blocking, and fit with Siakam and Nembhard make him a potential breakout star, as IndyStar noted. Despite risks from his Achilles injury and limited offensive game, Jackson’s per-36-minute production and Summer League resurgence suggest he’s ready to shine, per Forbes. As the Pacers navigate a challenging “gap year,” Jackson’s performance will silence critics and show that Indiana’s front office had the last laugh, cementing him as a cornerstone for their championship aspirations.