Pacers Future Moves
Pacers Secure Key Depth: Micah Potter Option Exercised, Jalen Slawson Offered Two-Way Deal
Key Points
Potter joined the Pacers on December 26, 2025 to provide center depth during injuries and quickly carved out a role as a stretch big.
In 2025-26 Potter posted 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.3 minutes per game across 47 appearances, shot 51.5% from the field and 42.3% from three.
Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Potter and Jay Huff will fight for the backup five role behind Ivica Zubac.
The Pacers also gave Jalen Slawson a two-way qualifying offer; Slawson has NBA experience with Sacramento and was named to the G League All-Defensive Team.
Potter’s 2026-27 contract remains non-guaranteed through January 10, 2027, allowing Indiana to waive him before then without a salary-cap hit while evaluating the roster.
The Indiana Pacers will exercise the $2.8 million team option on center Micah Potter for the 2026-27 season, the team confirmed on June 28, 2026, according to SI. The deal stays non-guaranteed until January 10, 2027, giving Indiana the freedom to waive Potter at no cap cost if needed.
The Pacers also extended a two-way qualifying offer to forward Jalen Slawson the following day, per WISH-TV. Both moves prioritize depth and financial flexibility as the team heads into free agency.
Potter's Breakout Numbers Made the Decision Easy
Potter joined Indiana on December 26, 2025, as emergency frontcourt depth due to injuries. He quickly became a key piece off the bench, per On3. In 47 games, he averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in just 19.3 minutes per game.
His shooting splits stood out most. Potter hit 51.5% from the field and 42.3% from three, per SI. On a per-36-minute basis, his scoring jumps to 18.1 points. The Pacers' offense also ran better with him on the floor, improving by 4.2 points per 100 possessions when he played.
Potter and Huff Will Battle for Backup Center Spot
President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard made the competition clear. "Micah earned this opportunity with his play down the stretch," Pritchard said. "He and Jay Huff will have a healthy battle for that backup spot behind Ivica [Zubac] this fall," according to WISH-TV.
Potter brings elite three-point shooting from the center spot — rare in today's NBA. Huff offers more shot-blocking. Zubac, the starter, anchors the paint. The two-man backup race gives Indiana options for different matchups and opponents throughout the season.
Non-Guaranteed Deal Keeps Indiana's Options Wide Open
The structure of Potter's contract is key. His $2.845 million salary carries zero guarantee if Indiana cuts him before January 10, 2027. That gives the front office roughly six months of free agency and early-season evaluation before committing fully, per Badger of Honor.
Potter's low salary also works as a trade chip. Contending teams often need affordable, high-efficiency players to fill out rosters in deadline deals. The Pacers can use that $2.8 million slot as filler in larger trade constructions if a star becomes available before the February 2027 deadline.
Slawson's Qualifying Offer Secures a Defensive Wild Card
Jalen Slawson's two-way qualifying offer makes him a restricted free agent. That means the Pacers hold the right to match any outside offer he receives. Slawson has NBA experience with Sacramento and earned a G League All-Defensive Team honor, per SI.
The Slawson move reflects Indiana's broader approach: stack the roster with versatile, low-cost players who can defend multiple positions. If another team signs Slawson to a full NBA deal, Indiana gets 48 hours to match it. If they let him walk, they lose nothing but upside.
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