The Detroit Pistons have been having the definition of a middle-of-the-pack NBA offseason. General manager Trajan Langdon replaced departing free agents Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder with Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson (via sign-and-trade), while also re-signing veteran center Paul Reed — moves that hardly budge the needle towards championship contender status.
With not much going on in the Motor City, Pistons fans have been forced to follow the latest news surrounding the franchise's former players. Although some ex-Detroit players have struggled to land new contracts this summer, one recent trade bust just scored a second chance with a familiar employer.
Former Pistons C James Wiseman Signs New Contract with Pacers
On Monday, The Athletic's James Boyd reported that the Indiana Pacers have signed former Pistons center James Wiseman for the 2025-26 season.
#Pacers President Kevin Pritchard says the team is re-signing C James Wiseman today.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 7, 2025
Lottery picks aren't always guaranteed to have all-star careers, and that's what Wiseman has been learning the hard way. The former Memphis product has struggled to find a permanent home since being drafted second overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2020, having played with three franchises since then, which includes a brief stop in Detroit.
The Warriors traded Wiseman to the Pistons in February 2023 in a four-team trade that also involved the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers. He played 87 games (28 starts) in a Detroit jersey in parts of two seasons, averaging 8.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a 57.6% field-goal percentage.
After the 2023-24 season ended, Wiseman signed a two-year contract with the Pacers only to find himself moved to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. He was then waived shortly after the trade and was waiting for his next opportunity until Indiana contacted him about a reunion.
It's going to be interesting to see what Wiseman has left in the tank. Even though the Nashville, TN native is only 24 years old and has been in the NBA for half a decade, injuries have limited Wiseman to only 148 appearances during that stretch. That's only 37.0% of available games in that time, which isn't a good look for any player.
The Pacers are coming off an NBA Finals appearance, leaving time to tell if those vibes will rub off on Wiseman. He has the potential to be a decent center when he's healthy and on his game, and joining the championship runners-up might be the best chance of helping him find his mojo.
As Wiseman looks to do his best to avoid the 'draft bust' moniker this fall, Pistons fans will watch from afar, wondering if it'll finally be the season when he reaches his potential.