IND
Opening career as two-way player
The No. 49 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, Newton will begin his professional career as one of the Pacers' three two-way players, joining Quenton Jackson and fellow rookie second-round pick Enrique Freeman. After a decorated collegiate career that culminated with him winning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors for national champion UConn, Newton is unlikely to be featured in the Pacers rotation as a rookie and will instead see the bulk of his minutes with the G League's Indiana Mad Ants.
Oct 19, 17:34
IND
Pacers exercise option
This means the guard, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Pacers, will remain under contract with the franchise until the end of the 2025-26 season. This move shouldn't make much of an impact from a fantasy perspective, though, as Sheppard is a backup alternative in the backcourt and doesn't have a clear path to earning regular minutes. He averaged 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game across 57 regular-season appearances as a rookie in 2023-24,
Oct 18, 16:57
Third-year option exercised
Walker was selected eighth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft but received limited playing time as a rookie, spending most of the year in the G League. Across his 33 regular-season NBA appearances, he averaged 3.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 10.3 minutes. While Walker has shown potential, Obi Toppin continues to be an obstacle for the 21-year-old forward to receive consistent bench minutes in Indiana's frontcourt rotation.
Oct 18, 16:52
Fourth-year option exercised
Mathurin will now officially be under contract with the Pacers until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. The Arizona product took a step back from his rookie campaign last year, during which he averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 26.1 minutes per game in 59 regular-season outings before having his season cut short due to shoulder surgery. Mathurin is expected to play a significant role off the bench in year three, and he will likely back up Aaron Nesmith and compete for minutes with Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard.
Oct 18, 16:52
IND
Cut loose by Indiana
Swider spent the preseason with Indiana but was unable to secure a roster spot. He will now enter the 2024-25 campaign as a free agent.
Oct 18, 16:22