The 2024 NBA offseason is almost over, and the Indiana Pacers are a team that appears to be done with big-money moves. They added James Wiseman and Johnny Furphy in place of Jalen Smith and Doug McDermott while retaining their own talent from last season — though there could be another change if Cole Swider sticks around beyond training camp.
Their attention now turns to the season, which starts on October 23This year could provide Indiana with the final pieces of clarity to build its roster around Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, two max-contract stars who are under contract with Indiana through the 2027-28 season.
That clarity will also apply to their free agency decisions next summer. And that’s important because the Pacers could, barring trades, have several free agents in the 2025 offseason. Here’s a list of players who will or could enter free agency next summer for the blue and gold. The list is listed in alphabetical order.
Kendall Brown
Brown’s contract is non-guaranteed for the upcoming season, so he may not be on Indiana’s roster in 2024-25. His contract also includes a non-guaranteed team option for the 2025-26 campaign worth just over $2.3 million. There are plenty of ways for him to become a free agent next season between possible waivers and a declined option.
Enrique Freeman
Freeman signed a one-year, two-way contract. He will be a free agent next summer and could become a restricted free agent if Indiana extends him a qualifying offer.
Isaiah Jackson
Isaiah Jackson is eligible for a contract extension until a few days before the start of the upcoming season, so it’s possible he won’t be a free agent next offseason. Absent a new contract, the young big man would enter free agency at the end of his rookie deal, which expires after 2024-25. He could be a restricted free agent next year.
Quenton Jackson
Quenton Jackson is entering his second season with the Pacers on a two-way contract. It’s a one-year deal, so he’ll be looking for a new deal next summer. He could be a restricted free agent in 2025.
James Johnson
The veteran forward is currently under contract for one year, and his contract cannot be extended during the season. Johnson will be a free agent next season.
Myles Turner
Turner is entering the final season of a three-year contract he signed in January 2023. That contract was made possible through a renegotiation and extension, which gave Turner a fair deal at a unique time.
However, renegotiated contracts cannot be extended for three years after they are signed, meaning Turner is guaranteed to be a free agent in 2025. He is in line for a raise after a strong season and certainly expects to play well in a contract year.
TJ McConnell
McConnell is entering the final season of a deal he signed in 2021. He is able to sign a contract extension at any time between now and the start of free agency next season, so it’s possible his contract won’t expire and he won’t be a free agent in nine months.
Absent an extension, McConnell will be back on the open market in 2025. During his last two summers as an unrestricted free agent, he signed with the Pacers.
Tristen Newton
The young UConn guard is currently under a one-year, two-way contract. He will be a free agent next summer and could end up being a restricted free agent.
Cole Swider
Swider is currently on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract and will have to fight to make the Pacers’ roster in 2024-25. He’ll be a free agent next summer either way, but he’ll be looking to prove himself with his third franchise.
James Wiseman
Wiseman signed a two-year contract with the Pacers this summer that is partially guaranteed for both seasons. The second season of the contract also contains a team option.
THE Four-year pro looks to develop with the blue and gold, but there are several ways — via waiver or declined option — he could be a free agent in 2025. If he develops as he hopes, he might not hit the open market.
Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker all have rookie-level team options that cover the 2025-26 season on their contracts. In theory, they could be free agents next summer if those options are declined — but that would be a huge mistake on Indiana’s part and shouldn’t be expected.
The Pacers will have to figure out who to keep next offseason while managing potential luxury tax constraints.
