Pacers Cut Ties with James Wiseman, Ending Another Chapter for the Former No. 2 Pick

The Indiana Pacers have finally made a decision that felt inevitable, cutting ties with former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman. In a move that surprised approximately zero people who have been paying attention, the Pacers decided their overflowing center rotation could do with one less project.

The Journey of a Former Top Prospect

Remember the 2020 NBA Draft? It feels like a lifetime ago. The Golden State Warriors, basking in their dynasty glow, snagged James Wiseman with the second pick. They envisioned a dominant big man to anchor their future. Ahead of him? Anthony Edwards. Behind him? LaMelo Ball.

Since then, the career of Wiseman has been less of a soaring flight and more of a disappointment. From Golden State to the Detroit Pistons, and finally to a cup of coffee in Indiana, he’s been passed around more than a hot potato. He’s now looking for his fourth team in six seasons, which is not exactly the career trajectory anyone dreams of.

His time with the Pacers was, to put it mildly, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it. He was on the roster since the 2024-25 season but only suited up for two actual games. An Achilles tear cut his first year short after just one appearance. This season, he graced the court for a grand total of one game, clocking in a few minutes in a blowout loss to Memphis. He scored four points. It was… an appearance.

Why Did the Pacers Give Up on Wiseman?

At 24, you’d think there’s still time. He has the size, the draft pedigree, and occasional flashes of what scouts once drooled over. But “flashes” don’t win basketball games. “Rawness” and a knack for finding the injury report do not, in fact, lead to long-term job security in the NBA.

The Pacers are a team with aspirations. Their guard depth is super questionable. They have solid center depth, and when one isn’t contributing, especially when your guard rotation is practically on life support, is just poor roster management.

So, Kevin Pritchard and the front office did the logical thing. They cut the sunk cost and addressed a glaring need. Bringing in Mac McClung, a G-League MVP and a highlight reel waiting to happen, provides some much-needed guard depth and, frankly, a bit of excitement. It’s a low-risk, potentially fun move for a team and with McClung in, someone had to go and it was Wiseman.

What’s Next for the Former Second Pick?

Now, James Wiseman hits the open market. The question is, who takes a chance on him? His career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds aren’t terrible, but they’re propped up by a stint in Detroit where he got minutes on a team going nowhere. The potential is still there, buried under layers of injuries and inconsistency.

Some team, probably one in the midst of a deep, soul-crushing rebuild, will likely kick the tires. They’ll see the 6-foot-11 frame, the No. 2 pick next to his name, and think, “Maybe we can fix him.” It’s a tale as old as time. But for a contender or even a playoff hopeful like the Pacers, the time for “maybe” is over.

For the Pacers, this chapter is closed. It was a short, unceremonious, and utterly forgettable one. They took a low-risk flier, and it didn’t pan out. No harm, no foul. Now, they move on, hoping their infirmary-bound guards get healthy and that maybe, just maybe, a three-time dunk champion can give them a spark. As for Wiseman, the road ahead just got a lot longer and more uncertain for one of the biggest NBA Draft busts in recent history.