Daniel Theis out indefinitely after right knee procedure

The veteran center was acquired in the offseason and has not yet played for the Pacers — not in the preseason or in the first 11 games. Now he's out indefinitely.

Daniel Theis talks with Pacers assistant coach Mike Weinar during training camp.

Daniel Theis won’t make his Pacers debut anytime soon.

Theis underwent surgery on his right knee “to address persistent soreness,” the Pacers announced Thursday evening. It is something that has bothered him since the offseason when he played for his country, Germany, in FIBA Eurobasket 2022 and won a bronze medal.

Prior to that, Theis became a member of the Pacers in July, one of five players acquired from the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon. He was stunned to be traded and learned about it while at his Boston home after completing a morning workout.

It was an emotional hit because he got his NBA start with the Celtics, played more than four seasons with them and was so close to a winning a championship last season.

“There were a lot of treatment rehab, diagnostic things that went into this decision,” head coach Rick Carlisle said on Friday. “Everyone was very comfortable that this is the right path. … A lot of thought and a lot of time went into the decision and I think the prospects are very good.”