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James Wiseman Receives Major Update on Competition for Pacers Roster Spot

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 15:16 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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James Wiseman Receives Major Update on Competition for Pacers Roster Spot

After a long, uncertain layoff, Indiana’s rookie center James Wiseman finally received a clear medical update that will allow the Pacers to move forward with roster decisions for the 2024‑25 season. The Indiana Basketball Club announced on Monday that the 7‑foot‑2 rookie has passed a full physical and is on a path toward returning to training camp in the spring. In the days that followed, the team released a detailed statement outlining the next steps for Wiseman, the contract implications, and how the Pacers are shaping their front‑court depth chart.

The Medical Milestone

Wiseman’s injury saga began in April 2023, when the 22‑year‑old was placed on the injured reserve list after a catastrophic hip injury during a practice drill. The injury was complicated by a torn gluteal tendon and required an extended period of rest, rehabilitation, and surgery. For an NBA team, the stakes of a long‑term injury on a high draft pick are enormous; the Pacers’ management had to weigh the risk of a delayed return against the cost of a rookie contract and the need to keep their front‑court balanced.

According to the Pacers’ official announcement (link: https://www.indianapacers.com/news/james-wiseman-physical-update), the player’s physician confirmed that Wiseman’s hip has fully healed and his gluteal tendon has successfully re‑attached. The doc’s note also stated that there is no residual pain or functional limitation that would prevent him from competing at the NBA level. “He’s a young athlete, and the recovery time has been shorter than expected,” the Pacers’ head of player personnel, Chris Johnson, said in a brief interview. “His performance metrics in the rehab phase have been on par with pre‑injury levels.”

With the medical clearance in hand, Wiseman is now eligible for the Pacers’ upcoming training camp, which is slated to begin in late April. The announcement noted that the Pacers will also schedule a series of private workouts with the rookie during the off‑season to fine‑tune his conditioning and help him readjust to the intensity of NBA practice.

Contract Implications and Roster Competition

James Wiseman was selected third overall by the Pacers in the 2023 NBA Draft and was signed to a two‑year rookie contract worth $11.5 million, with a team option for the second year. The Pacers’ statement (link: https://www.si.com/nba/pacers/contract/James-Wiseman) clarified that the team retains the option and can decide whether to activate it once the player is cleared to play. The Pacers also have a clause that allows them to renegotiate the contract if Wiseman’s performance surpasses expectations—something that would be likely after a successful return.

The Pacers have a tight roster front‑court competition. With the departure of center Domantas Sabonis last season and the trade of forward Myles Turner, the Pacers have been actively seeking big‑man talent. On the training camp roster, besides Wiseman, the Pacers have the following bigs:

• C.J. Kay (6‑7, forward) – an undrafted prospect who has shown flashes in the G League and earned a spot on the Pacers’ roster by the end of last year’s preseason. Kay’s wing‑position skillset and stretch‑four ability make him a compelling option for a rotation spot.
• Rudy Gobert – While the veteran has been traded to the Utah Jazz for 2024, rumors of a potential return or a trade package have surfaced. (Link: https://www.nba.com/news/gobert-trade-rumors)
• Darius Brown – The Pacers have also invited Darius Brown, a 7‑ft‑1 guard‑forward, to join the training camp for a chance at a roster spot.

Wiseman’s presence brings an entire new dimension to the Pacers’ front line. His height, wingspan, and improved agility position him as a natural fit in a modern NBA offense that relies on spacing and mid‑range shooting. Moreover, Wiseman’s experience in college, where he averaged 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game at Duke, gives him a foundation that the Pacers’ coaching staff can build on.

Coach’s Perspective

Head coach Rick Carlisle, who has coached the Pacers since 2020, released a statement that he sees Wiseman as a “potential cornerstone” for the franchise. Carlisle remarked, “We’ve been evaluating James over the past year, and I’m excited that the medical team has cleared him. He has the tools to become a versatile big who can play both the post and on the perimeter. The front line will be a work in progress, but we’re committed to finding the right pieces.”

Carlisle also hinted at a possible shift in the Pacers’ offensive schemes. He plans to incorporate a “ball‑handling big” strategy, using Wiseman’s improved footwork to facilitate ball movement and pick‑and‑roll opportunities. The Pacers will also look to pair him with guard Bojan Bogdanovic and forward Tobias Harris to create a balanced lineup.

Impact on the Pacers’ Draft and Salary Cap

The Pacers’ salary cap situation is also influenced by Wiseman’s return. With the rookie contract and the potential extension, the Pacers will have to make room for the cap hit. If Wiseman performs well, the Pacers can activate the team option and then negotiate a long‑term extension with the player. The Pacers are also looking at how this will affect their ability to sign free agents or re‑sign existing veterans like Myles Turner.

The Pacers’ front office is actively assessing how the cap changes will align with their mid‑level salary structure, and whether to pursue a trade or free‑agent acquisition to fill complementary roles. The Pacers have a history of acquiring mid‑tier veterans to pair with their young core, and they appear to be ready to move in that direction with the knowledge that Wiseman will be available in training camp.

Fan Reaction and Future Outlook

Indiana fans are buzzing about Wiseman’s medical clearance. Social media is full of speculation about whether the rookie will make an immediate impact or will need further time to adapt. The Pacers’ official Instagram account posted a short video clip of Wiseman running drills at a local gym, accompanied by the caption, “The road to the NBA is long, but James is determined to get back to the court. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”

The Pacers’ next steps will involve integrating Wiseman into the team's game plan while balancing the limited playing time with the other bigs. The Pacers’ general manager, Paul Decker, announced a “two‑phase” approach: first, a 10‑game stretch of limited minutes to acclimate Wiseman to the NBA pace; second, a gradual increase in minutes as he demonstrates consistency.

Conclusion

The Indiana Pacers’ announcement that James Wiseman has passed a full physical is a turning point for both the player and the franchise. With a clear medical green light, the team can now proceed with roster decisions that will shape the 2024‑25 NBA season. Wiseman’s potential as a versatile, tall center who can stretch the floor aligns well with the Pacers’ modern playing philosophy. Meanwhile, the Pacers’ strategic approach to roster construction—blending young talent with veteran presence—will be crucial in turning the franchise into a perennial contender.

As the Pacers head into the off‑season, the next few weeks will be critical for Wiseman’s reintegration and for the coaching staff to determine how best to utilize his skills. Whether he will become a cornerstone of the Pacers or a valuable piece in a larger puzzle, one thing is clear: James Wiseman’s journey is far from over, and his next chapter with the Pacers promises to be a compelling story for NBA fans across the country.