finance
Indiana Pacers Waive Center to Create Roster Spot and Cap Space
The Indiana Pacers plan to waive a center after signing a wing player under the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception. The move lowers team salary below the first apron and allows the team to add another player on a minimum contract.
Jul 8, 5:24 PM·1m read2 sources
hoopsrumors.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The Indiana Pacers plan to waive a center, creating an open roster spot and financial flexibility ahead of the 2026-27 season. After signing a wing player using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, the team became hard capped at the first salary cap apron. Total team salary cannot exceed $209.015 million during the coming campaign.
The Pacers' total roster cost plus incentives stood at $207.13 million after the wing signing. Officials agreed to terms with a veteran center on a minimum contract that carries a $2.45 million cap hit. The waived center's 2026-27 contract was non-guaranteed for just over $2.8 million.
Waiving the player removes that amount from the team's books with no remaining cap hit. The center averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season while shooting efficiently for his position. He had been competing for a backup role heading into training camp.
The center's contract could be claimed during the waiver process.
If unclaimed, the player becomes a free agent on Friday and could return on an Exhibit 10 deal. After the waiver but before the new signing, the Pacers sit $4.7 million below the first apron with 13 players on the roster.
