Category: Indiana Pacers Blog

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Magic sign Admiral Schofield to two-way contract, waive Mychal Mulder

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, the Magic have waived two-way guard Mychal Mulder.

Schofield originally signed a 10-day contract via hardship exception by the NBA on December 17, then to a second 10-day contract on December 27.

Schofield (#25, 6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in nine games (one start) this season with Orlando, averaging 4.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.9 minpg. He has also played in 12 games (10 starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on September 21. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on October 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 42 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 12.4 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Mulder (6’4”, 185, 6/12/94) was originally signed as a free agent to a two-way contract by Orlando on October 26. He played in 15 games (two starts) this season with the Magic, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.

Pacers waive Kelan Martin

The Indiana Pacers have waived guard Kelan Martin.

At 14-25, the Pacers are currently 13th in the Eastern conference. Their leading scorers so far this season are Malcolm Brogdon at 19.0 points per game, Domantas Sabonis at 18.7 ppg, and Caris LeVert at 17.8 ppg.

The Pacers roster – including hardship exceptions – currently stands at 20.

Pacers sign Keifer Sykes, waive Brad Wanamaker

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Keifer Sykes.

Also today, the team waived guard Brad Wanamaker.

Sykes appeared in two preseason games for the Pacers prior to the start of the 2021-22 regular season. He started 13 games this year for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ affiliate in the NBA G League. Sykes is in his seventh professional season after competing in the NBA G League as well as leagues in South Korea, Turkey, Italy, China, Greece and Australia.

Wanamaker appeared in 22 games and made one start for the Pacers after he was signed Oct. 6.

Pacers sign Malcolm Brogdon to contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Malcolm Brogdon to a multi-year contract extension.

Per multiple reports, Brogdon’s extension is a two-year, $45 million deal.

According to the Indianapolis Star, this “brings Brogdon to a guaranteed $89.3 million for four years. The extension prevents him from being traded for the next six months, meaning he can’t be traded this season. Brogdon had been involved in rumors he would be part of a package in a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons.”

“Malcolm has established himself as a very important part of our organization, not only with his performance on the court but also by the character he displays beyond it,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “He has become one of our undisputed leaders – continually supporting his teammates and setting them up for success – while also demonstrating the drive, dedication, and work ethic necessary to establish himself as one of the premier guards in the NBA.”

Brogdon, the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year, was acquired by the Pacers on July 6, 2019, and has appeared in 297 career regular-season games, posting averages of 15.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game. Additionally, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and was selected to participate in both the 2017 and 2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenges at All Star weekend. During the 2018-19 season, Brogdon became only the eighth player in NBA history record a “50/40/90” season, when he shot 50.5% from the field, 42.6% from three-point range, and a league-leading 92.8% from the free-throw line.

Pacers trade Edmond Sumner to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Edmond Sumner and a 2025 second round draft pick in a trade with the Indiana Pacers (via Miami) for the draft rights to guard Juan Pablo Vaulet.

Sumner has appeared in 108 games (29 starts) across four seasons (2017-21) with the Pacers, recording averages of 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. He was originally selected by Indiana with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Vaulet was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft by Charlotte, and his draft rights were traded to Brooklyn.

Indiana Pacers home arena renamed as Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) has announced that Indianapolis-based Gainbridge is the new naming partner for the NBA’s most iconic arena, and the home of the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and hundreds of events throughout the year has been renamed Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“Just as the Fieldhouse is so much more than simply a basketball arena, the chance to partner with a bold, forward-thinking company like Gainbridge means so much more than just putting a name on a building,” said PS&E President & Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson. “Our organizations share a vision for engaging new generations of consumers, strengthening our city and state economies, and investing in our community with intentionality. We could not have asked for a better aligned partner, and we look forward to growing together for years to come.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to join the Pacers and Fever at the new Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It really is the ‘Fieldhouse of the Future,’ where we’ll be hosting a wide range of exciting sports and entertainment events with new and improved space, infrastructure and technology,’’ said Group 1001 President & Chief Executive Officer Dan Towriss. “This unveiling is such a critical moment for us as we join in experiencing this amazing venue with a bold new Gainbridge Fieldhouse brand. This partnership goes farther than just this new venue because together, we can make an even bigger impact with our aligned commitment to improving communities through sports and education.’’

Pacers forward T.J. Warren remains out with foot injury

Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren’s stress fracture in his left foot is healing during the rehabilitation process; but not at the pace previously anticipated.

He remains out indefinitely.

Per the Indianapolis Star, “on Aug. 13, Warren tweeted that he played basketball, an important milestone in his recovery from the stress fracture in the navicular bone in his left foot that sidelined him beginning Dec. 29. Warren had surgery on the foot Jan. 5 but the area of the injury — a boat-shaped bone in the middle of the foot — makes for a difficult recovery process.”

Pacers sign DeJon Jarreau, waive Amida Brimah

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard DeJon Jarreau to a two-way contract.

And in a corresponding move, the Pacers waived center Amida Brimah.

Jarreau played three seasons at the University of Houston after he began his collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts. During his senior season in 2020-21, Jarreau earned honors as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was named the 2021 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player and helped lead Houston to the Final Four in Indianapolis.