In another notable move during what is shaping up to be a transformative offseason, Indiana Pacers President Kevin Pritchard announced Monday that the team will be bringing back James Wiseman for the upcoming 2025โ26 NBA season. The 7-foot center will rejoin the roster to compete for minutes in the post, adding size and versatility to Indianaโs frontcourt rotation.
Pritchard made the announcement during an appearance on the teamโs official offseason podcast, where he spoke about the franchiseโs excitement around its young talent and strategic veteran additions.
โWe like what James showed us late last seasonโhis rebounding, rim protection, and energy gave us a real spark off the bench,โ Pritchard said. โHeโs still young, heโs still hungry, and we believe he can carve out a meaningful role for us next year.โ
Wiseman, 24, originally joined the Pacers on a short-term deal midway through the 2024โ25 season after stints with Golden State and Detroit. Though he saw limited action, he made an impression in several key matchups, including a 12-point, 11-rebound performance against the Miami Heat in March.
Once considered a high-ceiling prospect after being selected 2nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Wisemanโs early career was hampered by injuries and inconsistency. However, sources within the Pacers organization believe that under the guidance of returning Senior GM Larry Bird and the coaching staff led by Rick Carlisle, the former Memphis standout can finally unlock his potential.
โItโs a fresh start for him,โ said assistant coach Jenny Boucek. โWeโre going to put him in positions to succeedโdefend the paint, run the floor, crash the glass. He doesnโt have to be a star, he just needs to be solid every night.โ
With Myles Turner anchoring the center position and Isaiah Jackson developing into a reliable backup, Wiseman is expected to compete for third-string minutes or a hybrid power forward role in bigger lineups. His size and athleticism could also be valuable in matchups against larger Eastern Conference teams like the Bucks and Sixers.
Fans took to social media to voice cautious optimism, with one user tweeting: โWiseman back? Low risk, high reward. #PacersWinโ
As the Pacers gear up for a highly anticipated season with a revamped front office and a talented young core, bringing back Wiseman could prove to be a quietly smart move.
Indianaโs rebuild is over. The climb has begun.
