Pacers sign Mac McClung to multiyear deal; James Wiseman waived as Indiana reshapes roster

Indiana moved quickly to rebalance its depth chart on October 28, 2025, signing guard Mac McClung to a multiyear contract and waiving center James Wiseman to open a roster spot. The twin moves signal a pivot toward backcourt reinforcement after a bruising start to the season and give the high-flying guard his first sustained shot on a standard NBA deal.

Mac McClung contract: what it means for the Pacers

McClung’s multiyear agreement upgrades him from his carousel of camp invites, G League dominance and short stints into a full roster slot. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, multiyear language typically indicates team flexibility—often featuring non-guaranteed trigger dates and partial protections that allow a front office to evaluate fit over time.

For Indiana, the calculus is straightforward:

• Ballhandling and pace: McClung brings burst off the dribble, second-side creation and willingness to push in transition—useful traits for bench units that have struggled to generate efficient looks late in the clock.

• Shooting threat: His G League profile features pull-up range and off-movement threes, skills that can punish help when defensive attention migrates toward the primary scorers.

• Energy and identity: Beyond the highlights, McClung typically plays with a high motor on both ends, which can stabilize second units during rugged stretches of the schedule.

The opportunity now is role clarity. Expect Indiana to trial McClung in staggered guard lineups, where his on-ball reps can be insulated by a bigger secondary handler and a rim-running big. If he defends his position and maintains shot selection, the deal can age as valuable bench production on a controllable contract.

James Wiseman waived: context and next steps

Waiving Wiseman closes a difficult chapter. The former No. 2 pick re-signed with Indiana in July in hopes of rebuilding momentum after a season-opening Achilles injury in 2024–25 derailed his campaign and led to midseason roster churn. A healthy return timetable always pointed to a long runway; however, the Pacers’ immediate needs shifted toward guard depth and available minutes on the perimeter.

From a roster-building perspective:

• Availability over potential: Early-season injuries and a heavy schedule force pragmatic choices. A third-string center with a long recovery arc is harder to justify than a plug-and-play guard who can eat minutes right now.

• Cap and flexibility: Waiving a minimum-level contract to add a multiyear, team-friendly guard deal preserves options at the trade deadline and keeps future guarantee dates manageable.

• Locker-room balance: Indiana’s frontcourt remains serviceable with established rotation players; the bigger hole has been initiating clean offense and sustaining pressure when starters sit.

For Wiseman, the path forward likely includes a rehabilitation-heavy stint to regain explosiveness, followed by a short proving window—either via a two-way opportunity or a veteran-minimum look once he clears waivers and is fully ready to ramp. At 24, a reset is still plausible if health and role alignment meet.

Why the Pacers chose McClung now

Three practical drivers accelerated this decision:

1. Creation scarcity off the bench: Early games exposed a need for guards who can collapse the paint without turning the ball over. McClung’s change-of-pace and willingness to attack closeouts address that gap.

2. Shooting variance: Indiana’s system thrives on spacing; adding another credible shooter reduces the cold-spell risk that has swung a few tight fourth quarters.

3. Cost-controlled upside: With multiyear control, the team can capture surplus value if McClung solidifies a rotation role, while maintaining easy outs if the fit doesn’t materialize.

Rotation ripple effects for Indiana

Short-term, the move suggests a few tweaks:

• Second unit guard pairings: Look for combinations that pair McClung with a bigger defender to handle primary on-ball assignments, letting him focus on creation against second units.

• Drive-and-kick emphasis: Sets that begin with early drag screens and empty-corner actions can maximize his burst and keep decisions simple.

• Defensive accountability: Minutes will hinge on competing at the point of attack and finishing possessions on the glass—areas that determine whether his offense can stay on the floor in close games.

What to watch next

• Guarantee dates and minutes: Track any upcoming contract trigger dates and how Indiana allocates minutes in the next two weeks. A steady 12–16 minute role would signal confidence.

• On-ball efficiency: Assist-to-turnover ratio and catch-and-shoot accuracy will be early indicators of staying power.

• Frontcourt contingency: With Wiseman gone, any injuries up front could prompt a 10-day evaluation window for another big or increased small-ball looks.

Pacers, Mac McClung, and James Wiseman

Indiana prioritized immediate guard help by converting Mac McClung’s promise into a multiyear commitment, while James Wiseman’s waiver underscores the win-now pressure to shore up ballhandling and spacing. If McClung translates his scoring and energy to consistent rotation minutes, this could be a quietly pivotal in-season adjustment that stabilizes the Pacers’ bench and sets up bigger moves later in the year.