A breakdown of James Wiseman's game and what the Pacers can expect from him

The Positives

However, watching the film also shows some positives that can be enhanced in Indiana's system. The biggest plus in Wiseman's game that Indiana can help emphasize is his ability to run in transition and get buckets. In the 2024 season, Wiseman's 1.6 points per possession in transition ranked in the 99th percentile of NBA players, which is an incredible feat for a big man.

He also shoots 94% on dunks which is promising, as he'll have offensive maestros such as Tyrese Haliburton and TJ.. McConnell spoon-feeding him the ball in a system where he is designed to succeed. Additionally, Wiseman's defense has improved steadily with every year he has spent in the league, with this recent season being the biggest example. This season, opponents shot more than 7% worse in the paint with Wiseman guarding them and 2.8% worse from 10 feet out and in. Needless to say, Wiseman has defensive potential and showed it during the season.

The biggest example of his improving game was a matchup against the future NBA Champion Boston Celtics, where he played a career-high 37 minutes and dropped 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists with 10 screen assists for 21 points (career-high), contested nine shots, with five of them being threes.

Boston shot 1/6 from deep with Wiseman contesting, Jaylen Brown going 0/3 from deep himself but 3/5 with others contesting him, and Kristaps Porzingis going 0/2 on Wiseman contests but 2/4 from deep with other contests. This is perhaps the best example of Wiseman's potential, as he outplayed every Celtics center on the floor, sealing off the paint for players like Porzingis who could not get anything going against Wiseman.

Additionally, Wiseman got better as a screener gradually as the season went on, ending the year with 6.5 screen assists per game which led to 14.4 points. He also became a more efficient post scorer, particularly with his baby hook, averaging 1.15 points per post possession, which ranked in the 83rd percentile. 42.3% from mid-range suggests the possible existence of a jumper which can be unlocked if he keeps working on it, and finally, an average of 1.27 points per possession on putbacks ranks in the 78th percentile, which is very promising for a team that needs rebounding badly.

There was also a two and a half week stretch during the season where Wiseman's defensive rating was quite impressive at 105, and the next highest Piston was 113. Up until January, Wiseman's defensive rating was around the 123 mark, which he improved to get it down to 118.

There were plenty of times in the second half of the season when he sealed off the paint and held units together defensively while being surrounded by three small guards and a wing player. His perimeter defense and dribble hand-off game have also improved, with him guarding Trae Young on the perimeter better than some guards in a game against the Hawks. Wiseman made plenty of strides defensive in the second half of the season and still has room to grow, with him arguably being Detroit's best defensive center in the second half of the season.