Pacers Expected to Cut Big Man Ahead of 2025-26 Season: Report

Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard is confronting a challenging roster decision ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season due to the departure of key player Myles Turner, who signed a $108.9 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. The team is anticipated to reduce its current roster of four centers to compensate for Turner's absence, as he was a starter known for his 3-and-D skills.

The Pacers have made several offseason moves, including bringing back reserve big men Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, both of whom suffered Achilles tendon injuries early in the previous season. They also traded for Jay Huff and decided not to re-sign Thomas Bryant, while retaining Tony Bradley. Reports indicate that James Wiseman and Tony Bradley are competing for the third and likely final rotation slot among centers, with both players having non-guaranteed contracts that could be leveraged for roster upgrades.

James Wiseman, a 7-foot center drafted No. 2 overall in 2020, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, playing only one healthy game for the Pacers where he scored six points in five minutes. Tony Bradley, a 6-foot-10 journeyman drafted No. 28 in 2017, has played for five NBA teams and averaged 4.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 8.1 minutes per game during the regular season, also contributing in the playoffs during Indiana's Finals run.

In related news, Malik Beasley has been cleared from a gambling investigation, and the Pacers are named as potential suitors for him, alongside the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. This adds another layer to the team's offseason considerations as they aim to strengthen their roster.