The Pacers waived Wiseman on Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
After tearing his Achilles tendon in Indiana's 2024-25 regular-season opener, Wiseman was traded to the Raptors in February before being waived. The big man re-signed with the Pacers in July to help bolster their frontcourt depth after losing Myles Turner in free agency. However, Wiseman couldn't capitalize on the opportunity and will now have to explore other opportunities. In a corresponding move, the Pacers signed Mac McClung to bolster their banged-up backcourt.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Coming off bench
Rotowire
Wiseman will come off the bench during Sunday's game against the Timberwolves, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.
Wiseman started in his season debut Saturday, but he will retreat to a bench role Sunday. He still figures to see a sizable role backing up Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Plays 20 minutes in start
Rotowire
Wiseman provided four points (2-3 FG), four rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Saturday's 128-103 loss to Memphis.
After not playing during Indiana's season opener, Wiseman started and played 20 minutes in their loss to Memphis on Saturday. Four Pacers centers received minutes in the blowout defeat, and that trend could certainly continue in their road matchup against the Timberwolves on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Starting vs. Memphis
Rotowire
Wiseman will start in Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
After not seeing the court in Thursday's season-opening double-overtime loss to the Thunder, Wiseman will join the starting five. As a result, Isaiah Jackson will come off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Not part of Opening Night rotation
Rotowire
Wiseman didn't play during Thursday's 141-135 double-overtime loss to Oklahoma City due to a coach's decision.
Isaiah Jackson started the regular-season opener at center and played only eight minutes. Tony Bradley played 10 minutes off the bench at center, while Jay Huff saw 12. Head coach Rick Carlisle instead elected to roll with a ton of small-ball lineups, featuring Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker at the five. Both Toppin and Walker excelled in those roles, but it may have been a matchup-based decision.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Perfect from field in win
Rotowire
Wiseman had 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 FT) and five rebounds in 12 minutes during Saturday's preseason win over the Thunder.
Wiseman turned in a solid performance despite limited playing time. With Isaiah Jackson and Jay Huff seemingly battling for the bulk of the center minutes, Wiseman may have to bide his time on the bench to begin the season. Coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, Wiseman will once again be looking to restart his career. While he figures to be more of a depth piece to begin the campaign, it wouldn't be surprising to see him shift into a meaningful role at some point throughout the season.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Available Tuesday
Rotowire
Wiseman (Achilles) is available for Tuesday's preseason game against the Timberwolves, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Wiseman will return to game action for Indiana's preseason opener after tearing his left Achilles tendon in the 2024-25 regular-season opener. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role this season while competing for minutes with Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff and Tony Bradley.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Participating in scrimmages
Rotowire
Wiseman (Achilles) is participating in scrimmages ahead of the Pacers' preseason opener against the Timberwolves on Tuesday, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
After tearing his left Achilles in the 2024-25 regular-season opener, Wiseman appears to be on track to return during the preseason. The 24-year-old center has an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role for the Pacers in the 2025-26 campaign, competing for playing time with Isaiah Jackson (Achilles), Jay Huff and Tony Bradley.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: To sign with Indiana
Rotowire
Wiseman (Achilles) is expected to sign with the Pacers on Monday, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Wiseman underwent surgery in October to repair a torn Achilles tendon, and his timetable remains unclear. The Pacers previously had Wiseman before they shipped him to Toronto, where he was ultimately waived. There will be a path to minutes in Indiana once Wiseman gets the green light to return, as the Pacers lost Myles Turner to Milwaukee. Indiana's current center rotation consists of Tony Bradley, Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) and Jay Huff.
... See More... See Less
James Wiseman: Waived by Toronto
Rotowire
Wiseman has been waived by the Raptors, Bobby Marks of ESPN.com reports.
Wiseman was traded to the Raptors by the Pacers ahead of the NBA trade deadline. On Thursday, Toronto waived the 23-year-old big man, who was already ruled out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles in the first game of the 2024-25 campaign with Indiana. The former second overall pick faces a long recovery from the injury and an uncertain future in the NBA due to this latest development.
... See More... See Less
Raptors' James Wiseman: Shipped to Toronto
Rotowire
The Pacers traded Wiseman (Achilles) and cash to the Raptors on Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Wiseman has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles, but he could be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. It's unclear if Toronto will keep him around, as he has a $2.55 million team option for next season. Wiseman holds career averages of 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 18.9 minutes across 148 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
Wiseman underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left Achilles on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
While the timetable for Wiseman's return is expected to be established in the coming weeks, his 2024-25 campaign is almost certainly over. Isaiah Jackson (groin), Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker are now Indiana's primary bench options in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Suffers torn Achilles
Rotowire
The Pacers announced Thursday that Wiseman has suffered a torn left Achilles, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Wiseman suffered a torn left Achilles just five minutes into his regular-season debut for the Pacers. The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft will almost certainly miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. With Isaiah Jackson dealing with a groin injury, Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker should receive extended minutes as bench options in Indiana's frontcourt rotation.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Won't return Wednesday
Rotowire
Wiseman has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Pistons due to a left calf injury, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Wiseman limped off the floor after suffering what seemed to be a non-contact injury and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a calf injury. The Pacers are already thin in the frontcourt with Isaiah Jackson (groin) inactive for Wednesday's tilt. With Wiseman out, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and James Johnson could see more action. Per Tony East of SI.com, Wiseman will undergo an MRI on Thursday in New York. Indiana will play the Knicks on Friday.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Back to bench
Rotowire
Wiseman is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Cavaliers.
With Myles Turner (knee) available, Wiseman will return to the bench. Wiseman certainly left a good impression in the preseason opener, though, putting up eight points (4-4 FG, 0-3 FT) and four rebounds across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 131-130 loss to the Hawks.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Perfect from field Tuesday
Rotowire
Wiseman logged eight points (4-4 FG, 0-3 FT) and four rebounds across 16 minutes in Tuesday's 131-130 preseason loss to the Hawks.
Wiseman got the start in place of Myles Turner (knee) and was impressive, hitting all four of his shots from the field and looking active on the glass despite playing a mere 16 minutes. Wiseman will aim to deliver a good impression on the coaching staff in the upcoming preseason contests, as he's battling with Isaiah Jackson (undisclosed) for the backup center position behind Turner.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Starting Tuesday
Rotowire
Wiseman will enter the starting lineup for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks.
With both Myles Turner (knee) and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) ruled out, Wiseman will get the starting nod. The 23-year-old is expected to compete for minutes with Jackson and Obi Toppin off the bench behind Turner, though Wiseman could serve as the third-string center with Toppin backing up Pascal Siakam at power forward.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Off injury report Tuesday
Rotowire
Wiseman (groin) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's preseason opener against the Hawks.
With Myles Turner (knee) and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) both ruled out, the Pacers are expected to take an extended look at Jarace Walker and Wiseman on Tuesday. The 23-year-old will have to compete for minutes off the bench with Obi Toppin, Jackson and Walker, but Wiseman could push his way to the team's backup center role with a strong preseason.
... See More... See Less
Pacers' James Wiseman: Joins Indy on two-year deal
Rotowire
Wiseman agreed on a two-year deal with the Pacers on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The Pistons let Wiseman walk in free agency, and the 2020 No. 2 overall pick will join the Pacers to back up Myles Turner. Wiseman played one full season with Detroit after being acquired from the Warriors in 2022-23, during which he averaged a career-low 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks across 17.3 minutes in 63 regular-season games. The 23-year-old will aim for a fresh start where he will potentially revitalize his career on a team that hopes to contend.
... See More... See Less
James Wiseman: Enters free agency
Rotowire
The Pistons didn't tender a $7.74 million qualifying offer to Wiseman on Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 for the Warriors, but he has struggled to find a significant role in his three seasons in the league. After being acquired from the Pistons at the trade deadline in 2023, the 23-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in Detroit. When healthy, WIseman largely served as the No. 2 center behind Jalen Duren, averaging 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 blocks across 17.3 minutes. Wiseman's youth, size and potential should be enough to help him land at least a one-year deal in free agency.
