Earlier in this offseason, the Indiana Pacers signed center James Wiseman to a two-year contract. Wiseman, who most recently played for the Detroit Pistons, is best known for being drafted second overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2020.
As he approaches his fourth season in the NBA, Wiseman has yet to meet the high expectations set for him. However, joining the Pacers presents an opportunity for him to revitalize his career. The Pacers have a strong track record of identifying hidden talent and maximizing their players’ abilities, which could benefit Wiseman as well.
The Pacers are looking to bolster their depth at center, making Wiseman’s addition a low-risk, high-reward strategy. While he is unlikely to compete for a starting role as long as Myles Turner remains on the team, Wiseman could establish himself as a valuable backup.
As training camp begins on October 1, Wiseman is definitely a player to watch. However, head coach Rick Carlisle has indicated that due to Wiseman’s injury, it may take some time before fans can see what he can truly contribute in a Pacers uniform.
Rick Carlisle reveals James Wiseman’s groin injury will limit him during training camp
According to SI.com’s Tony East, during a media day appearance, head coach Rick Carlisle mentioned that James Wiseman is dealing with “a groin issue.” As a result, Wiseman’s injury will limit his participation during training camp.
With training camp just a day away, it’s uncertain how James Wiseman’s groin issue will affect him as the regular season begins. For now, it appears the Pacers are taking a cautious approach to avoid exacerbating his injury.
Despite his disappointing NBA career thus far, there are many reasons to be optimistic about Wiseman’s potential with the Pacers. Standing at 7’0″, his athleticism and size will be valuable assets in the league. Moreover, he can significantly enhance the Pacers’ rebounding capabilities.
Last season, the Pacers averaged just 41.5 rebounds per game, ranking as the third-worst in the league, ahead of only the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. Wiseman’s addition could provide a significant boost in this area, helping to improve the team overall.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like Wiseman’s injury is too severe. If he can contribute right away and regain even a portion of his pre-NBA form, the Pacers may have landed one of the biggest steals of this year’s free agency class.
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