The Indiana Pacers are coming off a successful season last year that saw them reach the NBA Finals, though they ultimately fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.
Of course, the Pacers suffered an even bigger loss in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season when star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles that will keep him sidelined for the entire 2025-26 NBA season.
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With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers are not expected to be a title threat this season, though they do still have a solid core led by Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33)© Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Despite this, it may be a tough season for Indiana this season with Haliburton sidelined, along with the loss of Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
With the loss of Turner this offseason, the Pacers’ frontcourt is extremely thin but while that may be the case, one of their big men is reportedly fighting for one of their final roster spots heading into the new season.
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James Wiseman to Battle for Pacers’ Final Roster Spot
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, James Wiseman is not guaranteed a spot on the Pacers’ roster this season and he will have to battle both Tony Bradley and Monte Morris for their final roster spots.
This is a massive report by Siegel and somewhat of a surprising one as the Pacers are in need of frontcourt depth entering the season.
Of course, Wiseman was the second overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft but he has not lived up to the hype that surrounded him entering his rookie season.
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Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman (33) against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22)© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The 24-year-old center spent only two and a half seasons with the Warriors, one of which he missed due to injury, before they sent him to the Detroit Pistons in 2023.
After being traded to Detroit, Wiseman played one and a half seasons with the Pistons before he joined the Pacers last season where he played in only one game before suffering a torn Achilles.
Indiana then traded him to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline last season where he was then waived, though the Pacers brought him back in the offseason.
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While it has been a difficult career at the NBA level thus far for Wiseman, he will now have the opportunity to battle for the Pacers’ final roster spot and if he does make the team, he could have a large role this season due to Indiana’s lack of frontcourt depth.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.