The Indiana Pacers have already filled their list. Additionally, they exhausted all three of their two-way contracts this offseason. However, it appears the team is continuing to make moves with just over a month left before training camp.
In a recent interview with Tony East of THE Pacers locked podcastguard Kyle Mangas has announced that he is returning to the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 contract. Speaking to East, the 25-year-old expressed his excitement about returning to the team.
“I’ll be back with the Pacers for an Exhibit 10 [contract]”, Mangas said during the podcast. “I’m going to sign it here soon. And I’m really looking forward to coming back.”
Mangas went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft after a four-year career with the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats. The Indiana native spent the first two years of his professional playing career with USK Praha of the Czech National Basketball League and Šiauliai-7bet of the Lithuanian Basketball League.
Last year, Mangas signed with the Pacers in October but was released the next day. He eventually signed with the team’s G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, where he played 34 games for the team, including 28 as a starter. That year, Mangas averaged 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals. Additionally, he shot 46.5 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range.
Most recently, Mangas played one game for the Los Angeles Lakers during this year’s Summer League. The point guard recorded six points on 2-of-5 shooting and three rebounds in 12 minutes of play.
Since Mangas would be signed on an Exhibit 10 contract, that essentially means he’ll act as an extra piece in training camp. However, if the team decides not to keep him on the main roster (which is the most likely possibility), they have the option to keep him in the G League.
Last season, Mangas had a solid campaign in the G League and showed a lot of his upside. The team will likely be watching throughout the year to see what he can do in his second year in the pros and if he can take a leap forward. A spot on the main roster is unlikely this time around, but Mangas could have a spot with his local team across the board.
