Once upon a time, James Wiseman was the next big thing.
The gargantuan lefty could run, and dunk, and handle, and shoot. He was going to be a star, first for the Memphis Tigers, then in the NBA.
But the former No. 2 overall pick of the Golden State Warriors has never grown into a star.
He hasn't even been a starter all that often.
Now, he's been cut loose again.
The Indiana Pacers waived Wiseman on Monday night, making room for Mac McClung. They have a bunch of perimeter injuries and needed a guard, and so they cut the guy who was once supposed to be the future of frontcourt players.
The Pacers plan to waive center James Wiseman to create roster space for McClung, who will sign a non-guaranteed multiyear deal, sources said. Indiana is dealing with several key injuries to their guards and wings to start the season. https://t.co/eMRWVYfbXQ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 27, 2025
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Injuries didn't help, but Wiseman ended up playing 60 games with Golden State, 27 of them starts. He averaged 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Then it was on to the Detroit Pistons for two seasons, 87 games and 28 starts. His averages there: 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds.
And now for the past two seasons with the Pacers, for just two games (a torn Achilles last season, and now this cut), 25 total minutes, 10 total points and five total rebounds.
Wiseman is still just 24 years old. He'll almost certainly get another chance, and probably soon.
But he's never become the player he was ticketed to be. And from the perspective of a basketball fan, that's just a bummer.
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