Pacers sign James Wiseman to 10-day contract

The Pacers are circling back to a familiar name.

Indiana re-signed center James Wiseman to a 10-day contract via a hardship exception, the team announced, ending Gabe McGlothan’s own 10-day deal after just four days to make room.

Wiseman is expected to be active Saturday at New Orleans.

The move marks another chapter in a winding season for Wiseman, who was released by the Pacers roughly a week into the regular season amid a rash of injuries. He had re-signed with Indiana over the summer on a two-year, minimum contract that included a partial guarantee and a team option for the second season.

The former No. 2 overall pick has endured a difficult NBA run. Wiseman missed the entire 2021–22 season following knee surgery and then suffered a torn Achilles in Indiana’s season opener last October, an injury that wiped out his entire 2024–25 campaign.

In 149 career games with Golden State, Detroit and Indiana, Wiseman has averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game.

Interestingly, Indiana’s center rotation has been remarkably healthy so far. Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley have all appeared in every game to this point, as noted by Tony East of Circle City Spin.

That could be about to change. Bradley is listed as questionable for Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb.

Wiseman’s return may be short-term insurance. Or it may be another opportunity. With him, it’s often both.