Pacers add former Warriors No. 2 pick in free agency
James Wiseman is heading to the Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers are signing James Wiseman to a two-year contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wiseman, 23, was the No. 2 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft. After failing to establish himself with the Warriors, Wiseman was traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2022-23 season. There, the young big man made the most of his minutes in the frontcourt behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
This past season with the Pistons, Wiseman was featured in a total of 63 games, averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 61.3 percent from the floor. In his career, Wiseman has averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 56.0 percent from the floor.
The Pistons declined to tender Wiseman a $15.9 million qualifying offer last week, making him an unrestricted free agent who could sign with any other team in the league.
It became clear that the Pacers were likely going to target another big man in free agency after Jalen Smith elected to sign a three-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. Now, the Pacers are going to get a great look at Wiseman, who still has the potential to possibly grow into a solid interior presence on both ends in Indiana.
