The Indiana Pacers have had an eventful summer.<\/p>\n
After losing two-time All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a devastating Achilles tendon tear during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Indiana’s 2025-26 season ceiling was lowered significantly. The 6-foot-5 Iowa State product is the club’s best player, and will miss the entire year recovering.<\/p>\n
Then, 3-and-D starting center Myles Turner departed the team unceremoniously after 10 seasons, signing a four-year, $108.9 million deal to turn traitor and link up with the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n
Indiana responded with quieter moves, re-signing free agent centers Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman and trading for stretch five Jay Huff, all in an effort to replace Turner. <\/p>\n
Jackson has always appreciated his tenure in Indiana, it appears.<\/p>\n
More news: Pacers Star Provides Surprise Update on Achilles Recovery Timeline<\/a><\/p>\n So when he was able to come back \u2014 on a fairly generous three-year, $21 million contract that speaks to the Pacers front office’s evident internal expectations for his upside \u2014 it was the move Haliburton was hoping for all along, writes Tony East of Forbes<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt meant a lot. I love the organization, I love the team camaraderie we\u2019ve got as a collective,\u201d Jackson said of his return. \u201cJust the guys from last year. Just being able to watch the playoff run and being there to experience that. [It\u2019s] something that I wanted to do, to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n Jackson tore his Achilles tendon just five games into his 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-9 Kentucky product finished his run with 7.0 points on 60.9 percent field goal shooting and 50 percent free throw shooting, plus 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists.<\/p>\n \u201cI told (Pacers general manager) Chad [Buchanan] and [team president Kevin Pritchard], I wouldn\u2019t want it any other way,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cI wanted to be here from the beginning. I want to stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n More news: Best Remaining Free Agent Reps Pacers Star in Cryptic Social Media Post<\/a><\/p>\n Although retaining Jackson may not be the kind of news that earns much attention on “SportsCenter,” it’s a quietly impactful move that pay dividends for a team now searching for its long-term Myles Turner replacement when Haliburton is back healthy.<\/p>\n Head coach Rick Carlisle, for one, raved about Jackson’s athleticism during a recent interview, according to Alex Golden of The Blue And Golden.<\/p>\n Rick Carlisle on Isaiah Jackson: <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of the best athletes I\u2019ve ever seen in any sport. His stride, his ability to elevate, it\u2019s other worldly. His ability to cover ground, it\u2019d be like a 6-foot 10-(inch) defensive back, that can move like one of those guys.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/Fvrp20zydw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) July 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of the best athletes I\u2019ve ever seen in any sport,” Carlisle remarked. “His stride, his ability to elevate, it\u2019s otherworldly. His ability to cover ground, it\u2019d be like a 6-foot 10-(inch) defensive back, that can move like one of those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n More news:\u00a0<\/p>\n Former Pacers Big Reacts to Surprisingly Getting Cut After NBA Finals Run<\/a><\/p>\n Pacers Urged to Make Shocking Lineup Decision This Year<\/a><\/p>\n For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit\u00a0Indiana Pacers on SI<\/a>.<\/p>\n