While the Pacers won’t be contending for the championship the following year, every important member of the team’s postseason rotation is still available.
The Pacers plugged a small hole in their roster on Tuesday by agreeing to a 2-year contract with James Wiseman, the former No. 2 overall pick, after locking up Obi Toppin with a 4-year, $60 million contract extension to start NBA free agency, according to Woj.
Despite not living up to his draft status, Wiseman will now go on to play with Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, and other 2020 draft classmates in an attempt to start over and continue to grow. With the Pacers, all three of those players have been able to do this.
Wiseman essentially takes over the role previously held by Jalen Smith, another 2020 draft pick who opted out of his $5-plus million deal for the 2024-25 season and secured a lucrative 3-year, $27 million contract with the Bulls. Smith’s strengths include rebounding and three-point shooting, and it’s good to see him earn a substantial contract despite falling out of the playoff rotation.
Meanwhile, Toppin earned a well-deserved payday after solidifying his role with the Pacers throughout last season. His ability to run alongside their point guards led to exciting fast break opportunities, but his real value emerged in his sharpshooting from beyond the arc. As the season progressed and into the playoffs, Toppin’s three-point shooting was consistently reliable, hitting over 40% from downtown while averaging around 10 points per game across every game played.
Though Toppin’s defense remains an area for improvement, it might create opportunities for Jarace Walker to share some of his minutes. Nevertheless, Toppin’s integral role in the Pacers’ high-powered offense made retaining him essential. His presence should also motivate Walker to earn his minutes, whether at the small forward or power forward positions, throughout the regular season.
As a side note, one wonders if the Pacers included provisions in Toppin’s contract to restrict attempts like his memorable transition Eastbay Funk Dunk, famously unleashed during last season’s playoffs at MSG!
Regarding Wiseman, the 23-year-old large man (7’1′′) is still figuring things out in the league. During his 63 games with the Pistons last season, he averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and made nearly 61% of his field goals. Although his ability to rebound and putback the ball can seem explosive at times, he occasionally struggles to pull it all together, which slows him down.
Isaiah Jackson appears set to claim the backup center role for the Pacers following an impressive playoff performance. He has shown improvement, particularly on the defensive end, which earned him the spot over Stix. It would be exciting to see Jackson showcase his developing midrange shot when the Pacers hit the court at the Fieldhouse in late October.
Both Jackson and his backup counterpart are proficient at rolling to the rim and finishing lobs, provided they have the space to operate. The rotation among the big men remains a key question, especially with Jarace Walker capable of filling positions 3 through 5 depending on the game’s dynamics. In instances where Turner and Jackson face foul trouble, the Pacers will need someone to step up, determined largely by matchups and the progression both players demonstrate.
While these roster moves weren’t headline-grabbing, it’s essential to note that the Pacers made a significant move by extending Pascal Siakam’s contract after the Finals. The team is now approaching the luxury tax threshold of around $170 million, considering additional costs for rookies and the remaining two-way contract spots.