Mar 13, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) is defended by Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

'We Saw a Lot of Potential in Him' – Indiana Pacers Reunite With Former No. 2 Pick After Myles Turner’s Departure

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 11:15 AM ET

According to Forbes’ Tony East , the Indiana Pacers are signing James Wiseman to a two-year minimum deal with a team option on the second season to bolster their frontcourt depth in the wake of Myles Turner’s shocking departure to go to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The former second overall pick joined the Indiana Pacers last year after playing for the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons in his first four NBA seasons. Wiseman was poised to be Turner’s backup center, but he ruptured his left Achilles during the team’s regular season opener.

Indiana Pacers president Kevin Pritchard sees potential in Wiseman, who will get an opportunity to compete with Jay Huff, Tony Bradley, and Isaiah Jackson for minutes at the center position.

Former Indiana Pacers Guard Criticized Jalen Brunson For Holding the Ball Too Long 3 May 21, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) meets with teammates on the court in the second half against the New York Knicks during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“We saw a lot of potential in him in the preseason and going up until his injury,” Pritchard said about Wiseman via Indy Star. “Very long. Very athletic. Becoming a better shooter. I think he’s getting to that point where his injury is allowing him to get on the court and — not full, but do a lot.”

Indiana Pacers News: Kevin Pritchard breaks silence on Myles Turner’s departure

Indiana Pacers president Kevin Pritchard said that losing Myles Turner is a tough pill to swallow since the team’s owners were reportedly “fully prepared to go deep into the tax” to keep him.

Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner Achieves Rare Playoff Feat Not Seen Since 2010 Dwight Howard 7 Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) fight for the ball during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

“I know this, that Herb Simon and Steven Rales, and the Simon family were fully prepared to go deep into the tax to keep him, and we really wanted to do that,” Pritchard said on WISH-TV News.

“You can go get it, but it becomes very challenging by buying out or making trades, and a hat tip to Milwaukee to do that. So I think the most important thing is, we were deep in conversations with Myles, and then, and then we saw that he’d accepted an offer with Milwaukee,” he added.