Change is always inevitable for NBA rosters. It comes in many different forms. From major occurrences like groundbreaking trades to minor adjustments such as rotation tweaks, teams constantly make changes with the goal of improvement in mind. Ideally, more activity transpires among teams in the middle and bottom of the pack, since of course, longer strides are needed amongst them. Still, even the NBA's top contenders do what's possible to get the smallest advantages over each other. Take the Indiana Pacers for example.
The Pacers exceeded expectations last season, appearing in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade. While they'll be returning with the same core group, it hasn't stopped them from making a number of alterations this offseason. Included in those alterations was the signing of free agent James Wiseman, a former second-overall pick who had stints with both the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons. Wiseman's career has been plagued with injuries, causing him to miss plenty of games, especially during his days at the Bay Area. Regardless, the center is a quality piece for any team when healthy. The Pacers are banking on this, hoping that the big man's body holds up for that added frontcourt depth.
If all goes as planned, then Wiseman will certainly get playing time. However, that means someone from the rotation down low ends up losing minutes. And looking at the lineup, that certain someone appears to be Isaiah Jackson.
Why Isaiah Jackson's minutes could go to James Wiseman
Isaiah Jackson is an energizer, no doubt. A center with a knack for protecting the rim and banging bodies in the paint, Jackson's motor is what gets him playing time from Rick Carlisle. It also helps that he embraces his role to the fullest. Jackson doesn't demand the ball; A lot of his points come from pick-and-roll lobs, drop passes, and rim runs, making him an ideal bench piece for a Pacers team whose starting frontcourt is more known for scoring. Someone has to do the grunt work, right?
This past season, Jackson was battling with fellow center Jalen Smith for that backup spot. Both players showed promise, but Jackson was the clear winner come playoff time, judging by how he was utilized more than Smith throughout Indy's postseason run. After Smith departed for the Chicago Bulls, it seemed like no obstacle would hinder Jackson from fully taking on that role behind Myles Turner…well, until the Pacers' front office decided to address the rebounding conundrum.
See, the Pacers had trouble controlling the glass last season. Tallying just 41.5 rebounds per game, the team ranked near the bottom of the league in that category (28th, to be specific). Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner led them individually with 7.8 and 6.9 boards per game, respectively. And for all the energy that Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin brought, both averaged no more than four rebounds each.
The front office knows this, which was why they brought in James Wiseman back in July. No, Wiseman won't automatically make the Pacers a top rebounding team, but he does have the physical tools to ease the bleeding. For one, Wiseman is listed as 6'11, making him and Turner the tallest players on the Pacers. Wiseman also has an astounding 7-foot-6 wingspan, giving him the ideal frame for an NBA center. Compare that to Isaiah Jackson, who stands at just 6'9. As much as Jackson makes up for his lack of size with energy, it can only go so far.
Additionally, the rebounding numbers point in Wiseman's favor. Last season, Wiseman hauled down 5.3 boards in 17.3 minutes per game while Jackson had 4.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game. The discrepancy might not be too much, but it can be noted that there was a stretch of games — specifically, Wiseman's first 24 games with the Pistons — during the 2022-23 season where Wiseman was able to average 8.1 rebounds.
Oh, and there's his offense. Wiseman is hands down more versatile than Jackson with the rock. The ex-Piston can play both on and off the ball. Need him in a pick-and-roll? He'll set a good screen and finish strong when rolling. He might also pop out and cash in a jumper if the situation calls for it. Furthermore, Wiseman has the ability to create his own shot near the shaded lane. With a face-up game and a soft touch around the ring, the 23-year-old is basically another offensive weapon at Rick Carlisle's disposal. There's a reason why Wiseman averaged double figures in two of his three NBA seasons.
He won't be getting the ball a lot, of course, considering his role off the bench. Nevertheless, in those moments where James Wiseman has an opportunity to score, best believe he'll get those points. Overall, he's a promising fit for the Pacers, who are looking to continue where they left off last season.
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