Pacers re-sign F Jalen Slawson to two-way contract; what it means for roster
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Pacers re-sign F Jalen Slawson to two-way contract; what it means for roster
Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star·Indianapolis Star
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2 min read
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ForwardJalen Slawsonagreed to re-sign with thePacerson a two-way contract a day after guardTaelon Peter was waivedfrom his deal to create an opening, a league source confirmed to the IndyStar on Tuesday. Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported the signing first.
Peter's waiving and Slawson's signing at least narrows the competition for two-way contracts down to three players for two spots and might have effectively solved their whole two-way contract puzzle. Currently, thePacershave three players under contract in Slawson, fellow forwardKobe Brownand guardEthan Thompson. However, point guardBraden Smith-- a Purdue All-American and Westfield High School star -- agreed to a two-way deal when the Pacers traded for the No. 38 pick to select him in the second round of this year's draft. The Pacers can waive two-way contract players whenever they wish, but Brown was signed the day before Summer League began and it's hard to imagine the Pacers would not at least put Smith on a two-way deal, so it's possible Thompson will be the odd man out.
Feb 10, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
(John Jones, John Jones-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard lines up a free throw as Indiana hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
(Photos by Caitlin Clark. Provided by the Indiana Pacers)
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) defends Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) as he shoots during a game Friday, April 10, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Mar 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) celebrates a made basket in the first half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (12) looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Mar 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars forward Keba Keita (13) passes the ball during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
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Jan 12, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson (16) on the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Forward Jalen Slawson walks the court during practice for the Indiana Pacers’ NBA Summer League team Friday, July 3, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Guard Braden Smith (3) shoots the ball during practice for the Indiana Pacers’ NBA Summer League team Friday, July 3, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 29: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk after a game at the TD Garden on October 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
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Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) rushes up the court Wednesday, March 18, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indiana Pacers guard Kobe Brown (24) passes the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (26) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Lachlan Olbrich (47) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) celebrates a throw-point basket Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) attempts to stop Detroit Pistons forward Tolu Smith (35) on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Mar 15, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
(Benny Sieu, Benny Sieu-Imagn Images)
Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) scores against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Rienk Mast (51) reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
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Feb 10, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 10, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard lines up a free throw as Indiana hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
(Photos by Caitlin Clark. Provided by the Indiana Pacers)
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Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) defends Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) as he shoots during a game Friday, April 10, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
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Mar 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) celebrates a made basket in the first half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
(Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)
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Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (12) looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
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Mar 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars forward Keba Keita (13) passes the ball during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
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Jan 12, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson (16) on the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Forward Jalen Slawson walks the court during practice for the Indiana Pacers’ NBA Summer League team Friday, July 3, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
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Guard Braden Smith (3) shoots the ball during practice for the Indiana Pacers’ NBA Summer League team Friday, July 3, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 29: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk after a game at the TD Garden on October 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
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Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) rushes up the court Wednesday, March 18, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Indiana Pacers guard Kobe Brown (24) passes the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (26) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Lachlan Olbrich (47) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) celebrates a throw-point basket Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) attempts to stop Detroit Pistons forward Tolu Smith (35) on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Mar 15, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
(Benny Sieu, Benny Sieu-Imagn Images)
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Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) scores against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Rienk Mast (51) reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
(Maria Lysaker, Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Slawson was wild at times during NBA Summer League, but he was also the Pacers' most productive all-around player. He led the team in scoring with 20.8 points per game, finishing 13th among all players at the event. He also averaged 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 3.2 blocks per game, finishing fourth in Summer League in blocks. His 16 total blocks led Summer League and his 104 total points put him fifth. His 18 turnovers were also the third-highest figure in the event, but the Pacers were apparently impressed enough with his activity and athletic explosion.
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Slawson spent the end of last season on a two-way contract with the Pacers and entered this summer as a restricted free agent. The 6-7, 215-pounder averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pacers in 13 games after moving from an Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way on Feb. 28. In G League play with the Noblesville Boom last season, he averaged 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game, earning first-team G League All-Defensive team honors.
