The Indiana Pacers, so far, have had one of the worst free agency periods of the entire league.
After being unwilling to offer starting center Myles Turner, who has been in town for ten seasons, more than backup center Naz Reid got from the Minnesota Timberwolves, he walked to the rival Milwaukee Bucks and signed a lucrative four-year deal to play next to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That leaves only Tony Bradley and Isaiah Jackson in town. Bradley was signed last season to two ten-day contracts before being added to the playoff roster, and Jackson played just five games last season before an Achilles tear ended his season.
Neither player is a true starting-caliber center, but with Turner gone and Tyrese Haliburton out for next season with a torn Achilles of his own, the Pacers are not expecting to make the Finals next season.
With Jackson and Bradley back for next season, the Pacers have their sights set on a familiar face, one of the most infamous draft picks in recent years: James Wiseman.
"I think the Pacers are just going to focus right now on internal growth, on bringing back Isaiah Jackson, who was lost to the season with a torn Achilles, and James Wiseman was out for the year with an injury," said insider Jake Fischer.
Wiseman, like Jackson and Haliburton, suffered an Achilles tear and had his season ended early, although his happened in the very first game of the season. He was then traded to the Toronto Raptors in a salary dump and was promptly waived.
Apparently, the Pacers still have their eye on him, and he is back in Indiana working on an NBA comeback.
"He was back in the Pacers' facility working out the other day," Fischer revealed. "So we're expecting him to have an opportunity."
Thomas Bryant, who is also a free agent this season, got some interest from the Pacers after a decent season spent backing up Turner.
Wiseman, drafted second overall in the 2020 draft, is considered one of the biggest busts in NBA history after failed stints with the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons. He looked promising last preseason for the Pacers, but played only five minutes before suffering a devastating injury.
"He's a guy that our fans are going to like a lot," said Carlisle of Wiseman last summer. "Our players have liked playing with him."
With Indiana seemingly content on taking a massive step back next season, perhaps Wiseman can make a return to the NBA and show fans a level of play he is yet to reach.
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