12 Days of Centers - Draft the Future

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Centers series shifts the focus from trades and free agency to the draft — because sometimes the long-term answer is found on draft night. In this episode, we break down three early 2026 NBA Draft prospects who could factor into the Pacers search for frontcourt help. We start with Cam Boozer, who may not be a traditional center but is very much in play if Indiana finds itself picking in the top five. His versatility, skill level, and two-way upside make him a fascinating frontcourt building block, even if the positional label says “forward.” We also dive into two true bigs: Jayden Quaintance, the powerful and athletic Kentucky sophomore with real defensive presence and physicality, and Chris Cenac Jr., the Houston freshman whose length, mobility, and rim protection profile point toward modern center upside. This episode is less about certainty and more about projection — what the Pacers might prioritize if the draft becomes their clearest path to solving the center question. Developmental timelines, roster fit, and upside all take center stage as we look ahead to what could be a franchise-shaping draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.