The Indiana Pacers are set to sign free agent big man Micah Potter to a non-guaranteed contract, as reported by Tony East of Forbes. To make space on the roster, Garrison Mathews is expected to be waived.
The addition of Potter, who stands at 6’9″ and plays as a power forward/center, comes at a crucial time for the Pacers. With Isaiah Jackson currently sidelined due to a concussion and Tony Bradley limited by a thumb fracture, Indiana is in desperate need of additional frontcourt depth. Furthermore, James Wiseman is approaching the expiration of the 10-day hardship contract he signed recently.
Dustin Dopirak from The Indianapolis Star has confirmed the Pacers’ moves, noting that they won’t be receiving another hardship exception from the league. According to sources, Potter’s contract is intended to last through the remainder of the season and will include a team option for the following year.
Potter, 27, began his professional career with the Detroit Pistons during the 2021-22 season and has spent the last three years with the Utah Jazz on a two-way deal. Over his career, he has played in 64 games, averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 18.6 minutes. Most recently, Potter signed a training camp contract with the San Antonio Spurs in August but was waived before the season began. He has since been performing well in the G League, showcasing his skills with the Austin affiliate where he averages 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds over 13 games.
Mathews joined the Pacers in November through a series of 10-day hardship contracts and subsequently received a standard contract, though this was also non-guaranteed. In 15 games with Indiana, the 29-year-old shooting specialist averaged 5.2 points, playing approximately 13.1 minutes per game with shooting percentages of 40.4% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. The move to release Mathews allows the Pacers to optimize their roster in a challenging season marked by injuries.
This addition of Potter signals the Pacers’ commitment to strengthening their lineup as they navigate through current challenges, which could lead to a brighter outlook for the rest of the season.