Not all NBA lottery picks are built the same, particularly when it comes to centers. The label “draft bust” may be unfair and overused, but chances are good that when you hear it employed, you’re going
to be talking about a big man. Such is the case with the former second-overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman. The Golden State Warriors made the 6’11 center their player of choice six years ago. They traded him to the Detroit Pistons in 2023. After his contract expired in 2024, he joined the Indiana Pacers. Over the last two years he’s appeared in only five games for Indiana, including working through 10-day contracts. Yesterday, the Pacers made it official and cut him.
The Indiana Pacers announced Friday the team signed center Micah Potter. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Potter will be available for tonight’s game vs. Boston.
In subsequent moves, the team waived guard Garrison Mathews and released center James Wiseman from his 10-Day contract.
Officially, Wiseman has played in five seasons in the NBA. His best year was his rookie campaign, where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds over 39 games. His high-water participation mark came in 2023-24 when he made 63 appearances for the Pistons, starting 6 games. Injuries have kept him off the floor since then.
This may be the end of Wiseman’s NBA journey, a quiet murmur after a high-profile start.
