Pacers finalize roster (for now) — plus offseason updates and league notes
It’s opening week for the 2025-26 season. Updates on roster decisions, Bennedict Mathurin’s extension status, Jenny Boucek’s Purdue connection, Debbie Antonelli’s honor & more from around the NBA.
All 30 teams submitted their opening night rosters to the league office by 5 p.m. ET on Monday. But just because a list was submitted, doesn’t mean it’s set in stone.
The Pacers have 13 players with fully guaranteed contracts for the 2025-26 season, plus James Wiseman (partial guarantee) and Tony Bradley (non-guaranteed deal). That’s four centers to begin the season. They need more production (and less fouling) from their center position — the first time in a decade without Myles Turner.
Both Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson are coming off Achilles injuries, and one option would be for the Pacers to mix in playing small with Obi Toppin at center.
They waived Cam Payne on Sunday, 10 days after signing him. Coach Rick Carlisle said what he had earlier after parting ways with Delon Wright: “It just didn’t work out.”
That’s OK. That’s what camp and the preseason are for — a chance to bring a guy in and see how he fits with the team, both on and off the court.