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Pacers reuniting with James Wiseman after Myles Turner’s Bucks departure
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- Pacers reuniting with James Wiseman after Myles Turner’s Bucks departure
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The post Pacers reuniting with James Wiseman after Myles Turner's Bucks departure appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Indiana Pacers were less than three hours away from possibly securing the biggest win in their franchise's near-50-year existence on June 22, and just over two weeks later they are scrambling to assemble a respectable roster that can stay competitive in the Eastern Conference next season. A dream-like playoffs experience quickly turned into an excruciating nightmare that is almost as unfathomable as the momentous thrills that preceded it. Fans have hardly had time to process their emotions.
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And neither has management. After losing Tyrese Haliburton to a gut-wrenching Achilles injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and watching longtime center Myles Turner ink a $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks , the Pacers are focused on addressing their previously lauded but presently vulnerable roster depth. They are signing big man James Wiseman to a two-year minimum contract , according to reporter Tony East.
The deal will carry a player option on the second season and include partial guarantees. Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, tore his left Achilles tendon in the first game of the 2024-25 campaign. He will get an opportunity to make a proper first impression in Indiana, as he returns to the team that took a chance on him last July.
James Wiseman will enter a pivotal season with Pacers
When he fully recovers, Wiseman should have the opportunity to solidify a regular role in the rotation. Turner's exit, which has been a divisive topic among fans, leaves a big void to fill. Isaiah Jackson , who suffered his own season-ending Achilles injury soon after Wiseman went down, is also trending toward a new contract , via East, and could see a boost in playing time as well. Recent trade acquisition Jay Huff figures to be the starter, and the re-emerging veteran Tony Bradley could also stay in the mix.
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Simply put, Indiana's frontcourt is wildly unpredictable at the moment. The Pacers are trying to give themselves multiple avenues for success, and a former top prospect is certainly an intriguing one. Wiseman could not find his footing with either the Golden State Warriors or Detroit Pistons , averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per contest. He is only 24 years old, however, making a breakthrough still attainable.
The seven-footer has to move quickly, though. Perhaps the silver lining in all of this recent Pacers' misfortune is a James Wiseman surge.
Related: Fans blast Pacers leadership after Myles Turner 'thank you' post
Related: Bucks' Myles Turner signing becomes official with no Pacers sign-and-trade
