The Indiana Pacers are turning to the free-agent market to address their frontcourt shortage. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the franchise plans to sign forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl via a 10-day hardship exception.
The move comes after Indiana’s 0-5 start to the 2025–26 season, a stretch defined by injuries and depth concerns. The Pacers have been without several rotation players, leaving head coach Rick Carlisle short on options in the frontcourt.
Robinson-Earl, 24, was drafted 32nd overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent two seasons in Oklahoma City, averaging 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds as a rookie.
He later joined the New Orleans Pelicans, where he appeared in 66 games last season, averaging 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds on 45.5 percent shooting.
Charania reported that Robinson-Earl joins the Pacers through a hardship exception, which allows teams to temporarily exceed roster limits due to multiple injuries.
The former Villanova standout most recently signed with the Dallas Mavericks in September but was waived before the regular season began.
Indiana’s big men have struggled to maintain consistency during their early-season slide. Pascal Siakam has been the team’s most productive player, averaging 24.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker have handled increased workloads in small-ball lineups.
