James Wiseman admits being devastated when the Pacers decided to waive him in October, and he hopes to make a strong impression as he returns to the team, even if his stay may be temporary, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Wiseman’s latest opportunity comes via the hardship exception, which Indiana used to sign him to a 10-day contract earlier today to provide front court depth. He was immediately placed on the active roster for tonight’s game at New Orleans.
“He’s been in California, working out,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s been finding pickup games out there. We worked him out early this morning. He looks great. He’s not in NBA game shape by any stretch, no one can be, but for somebody in his situation, he’s got the best headstart you can probably have.”
As Dopirak explains, Wiseman was the victim of a numbers crunch that led to his early-season release. He was the starting center October 25 against Memphis, marking his first game since tearing his Achilles tendon on opening night of the 2024/25 season, but the Pacers needed to open a roster spot to sign a guard after Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin all got hurt. They couldn’t afford the luxury of keeping four centers on the roster and decided to part with Wiseman.
He flew back to Indianapolis after receiving the news and talked with family members to work out his future.
“As soon as it happened, my mom came down, my family came down,” Wiseman said. “I was able to grieve for a little bit. Get that out. You can’t suppress that type of stuff. But as soon as I landed I got in the weight room and used all my anger and kind of worked out. Just trying to get all that out. I just kept working ever since then. I haven’t stopped.”
His relentless training took him to Irvine, California, where he played in pickup games over the past three weeks. His chance to return to the league came when backup center Tony Bradley suffered a fracture on the tip of his thumb. This time Indiana needed help in the middle, and Wiseman got a call on Thursday to meet the team in New Orleans.
Dopirak notes that Wiseman may not see much playing time over the next 10 days, as Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson handle the bulk of center minutes. Bradley believes he’ll be able to play with a splint on his thumb, even though it limits his ability to shoot and handle the ball.
Wiseman indicated that he’ll be grateful for any playing time he gets, along with the chance to prove to the Pacers and any other teams who may be watching that he’s still worthy of a roster spot.
“I motivated myself knowing there was going to be another way around,” Wiseman said. “So you just gotta keep working and stay ready. … I’m gonna go out there and play my (expletive) hardest. Leave it all out there on the floor. Whatever they want me to do I’m gonna do it. Still enjoy it at the same time and go out there and just play.”
a busted top 5 pick from the 2020 draft? Bulls are about to give this guy a bag.
Steve Kerr’s biggest failure. No wonder he has done such a horrific job on Kuminga, Moody, Jackson-Davis, Post and now Richard. Kerr cannot be trusted to do a crucial part of his job, yet he keeps his job? Lifetime gigs should not exist in the NBA. He has to step down.
Kerr and Curry are tied at the hip
Highest paid coach in the NBA…
Kerr’s deep, and often stated, political beliefs play well with the Bay Area…
In 2025, the Bay Area is home to every hardline right wing tech oligarch, try again.
Trying and succeeding – I lived in the San Francisco for 20+ years and visit often (including now). Of all the people I have known through the years exactly zero are Repub/Trump and many are volatile anti-Trump.
Not in the last 5 years though. Tech overlords have overrun the peoples will. I agree all the techies used to posture about how left leaning they were, only to turn hardline right the second covid hit and only getting worse and worse by the year. Your friends likely are left-leaning – most Americans are leftist if you removed any type of labeling – but the Bay Area is run by the right wing techies. waymo is maybe the most right wing company in existence, and it never existed until the last 5 years. They run the media, they likely despise Kerr’s good guy off court routine, which may or may not be true.
True question – why did the techies turn Right?
You have to wonder Why the Warriors didn’t sign him. At 24 he hasn’t even peaked yet. I was really surprised Detroit let him go. Cause he was playing well there. And their biggest need is a backup center.
Do the math per 36 mins — Wiseman stats are better than half the Centers in NBA. And that’s with him being considered not playing well. Too bad he never got the right coaching when he was drafted. Wiseman didn’t even play college ball. He was all talent and upside. Nobody took the time to coach him up.
“ In 149 games with Golden State, Detroit and Indiana, Wiseman has averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per contest.”
Per 36 mind thats —— 17.2 pts and 10 reb a game.
What’s that worth to a team. Unbelievable. lols.
Rooting for you James Wiseman. 👏👏
He peaked and he ain’t that good. Too bad, but lots of guys don’t got what it takes. If he was smart at least he’s got a few million in the bank.
when did he peak? he has barely played ever on any level enough to have a peak or decline lol
Sometimes you surprise me. He’s also been hurt a lot. Most fans here don’t understand. He came straight from HS. Probably was told he was greatest thing since water. Every team has given up on him. He is more talented than Mitch and Hartenstein imo. IHart was never thought of as an NBA center till Thibs taught him. He was 25 yrs old then. And was never injured like Wiseman was.
He has been hurt for almost half his career. I doubt you watch him play. How does he put those stats . Explain that to us ……. Please
Ever seen him play defense? Yeah, he trys, but…
I doubt, he’ll be able to learn how to play team defense without getting minutes. He might need some g league experience and really play a lot and focus on that.
Earlier you referenced to IHart being taken under his wing by Thibs to be developed. I believe you have to account that to the center himself. He’s a really hard worker and showed him uniqueness in the clippers Team also… Actually IHart could shoot quite a bit before the rockets destroyed that part of game of his…
Nice post :)
For the W’s, everyone must be able to shoot the 3-ball. The team locked in on Horford and pretty much have to ride that decision out due to Aprons, etc.
You should try reading the article. It tells you why the Pacers were able to sign. Besides, he is not in NBA shape. So, he would not provide any value in 10 days time.
See Al this is what I mean – you are either hitting homers (like this with post) or striking out on here. Not gunna lie I kinda like how committed you are to doing both – carry on!
Check out what Warriors fans thought of Wiseman trade …….. can’t make this stuff up lols .
link to hoopsrumors.com
and this is the strike out – giving @illowa the W here for bringing up how that “60 mill on the tax bill” part…which went to Jimmy Butler later on. We would not have Jimmy without this trade lol
Also an aside: Saddiq Bey is kinda good. He has a large potential to break out now he is finally healthy. He’s a perfect fit for GSW system too.
Wiseman always struck me as a player that would have benefitted from going to Europe for a couple of years. Yeah, Kerr did him zero favors, the same as its going for Kumunga….but he had opportunities in Detroit and Indy and couldn’t capitalize. So, his 36 min averages scoring wise look impressive but there’s far more to the game than that and he needs playing time to work on them. Why hasn’t he been playing in the G league for someone?
I don’t even think Europe, just give him NBA reps in any type of system, tell him his role, tell him what they need from him, and work him towards that. The Pelicans, Wizards, Nets, Hornets or Kings could afford him this route, one he deserves because he was never even bad, just underplayed due to injury. If he’s healthy I think he still is a rotation regular on a good team, with still some potential to make a major leap out of nowhere. He’s still only 24, some bigs develop late. He could still be an all-star at age 27 if someone takes a chance on him now.
Warriors messed up by not getting him back on a 2way spot, especially if they are dead set on moving on from Kuminga.
I was never a huge James Wiseman believer before the draft, but, as a Warriors fan, he was done really wrong by that team.
He or any non passing big with great rim protection fits the Warriors playstgle. They should have never drafted him because of their playstyle. If thwy wanted him, they should have changed their playstyle at least when he was on the court.
Also, Steve Kerr mismanaged the hell out of his minutes (just like he did with Moody and Kuminga). He was never truly given an opportunity to develop. I dont think Wise will be a superstar but I think he can be a pretty good center, I hope he stays healthy and gets the opportunity to develop that he didnt have in GS.
Exactly the correct take. Bravo. No notes.
Ahh I missed the chance to edit in “Bravo, Brabo”, but I will use it in the future if this is how well you know ball.