Pacers’ Painfully Obvious Solution to the Difficult Tony Bradley Dilemma

The Indiana Pacers’ 2025 offseason has been marked by challenges, from Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury to the departure of Myles Turner in free agency. Amid these setbacks, the team faces a roster conundrum involving backup center Tony Bradley, whose $2.94 million non-guaranteed contract for the 2025-26 season presents a dilemma. While Bradley proved valuable during the Pacers’ 2025 NBA Finals run, his role in a crowded frontcourt featuring Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and James Wiseman is uncertain. The solution to this dilemma is painfully obvious: waive Bradley to create roster and financial flexibility, allowing younger players to develop and opening opportunities for strategic acquisitions. This article explores the context of Bradley’s situation, why waiving him is the best move, and the broader implications for the Pacers’ future.

Tony Bradley’s Role with the Pacers

Tony Bradley, a 6’10” center drafted 28th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, joined the Pacers in March 2025 on a pair of 10-day contracts before signing a standard deal with a non-guaranteed team option for the 2025-26 season. After not playing in the NBA during the 2023-24 season, Bradley seized his opportunity with Indiana, appearing in 14 regular-season games and averaging 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game. His impact was more pronounced in the playoffs, where he played in 11 games, including the final three of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes.

Bradley’s contributions were most notable in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, where his physicality helped counter powerful bigs like Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. His hustle and rebounding provided a spark off the bench, earning praise from coach Rick Carlisle for his “grit and toughness.” However, with the Pacers’ frontcourt now featuring younger, higher-upside players, Bradley’s role has become expendable, creating a dilemma for the team’s front office.

The Crowded Frontcourt: A Roster Crunch

The Pacers’ frontcourt is overcrowded, with four centers—Bradley, Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and James Wiseman—competing for minutes. This logjam is a direct result of the team’s offseason moves following Turner’s departure to the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $107 million deal. To fill the void, Indiana traded for Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies, re-signed Wiseman despite his Achilles injury, and retained Jackson as a developmental prospect. Each player brings unique skills, making Bradley the odd man out.

• Jay Huff: Acquired for a second-round pick and a pick swap, Huff averaged 6.9 points and 0.9 blocks in 64 games with Memphis last season. At 27, he offers size (7’1”), shooting (36.4% from three), and rim protection, making him a versatile fit in Indiana’s system.
• Isaiah Jackson: A 2021 first-round pick, Jackson’s athleticism and shot-blocking (1.2 blocks per game in 2024-25) make him a high-upside prospect. Despite injury concerns, his potential as a starter or key reserve outweighs Bradley’s contributions.
• James Wiseman: The former No. 2 overall pick, re-signed on a non-guaranteed deal, brings elite athleticism but is recovering from an Achilles injury. His upside as a former top prospect gives him an edge over Bradley.

Bradley, at 27, lacks the ceiling of Jackson or Wiseman and the versatility of Huff. His non-guaranteed $2.94 million contract, while cost-effective, occupies a roster spot and cap space that could be better utilized. With only 15 roster spots available and the Pacers aiming to stay below the luxury tax, keeping Bradley risks stunting the development of younger players and limiting flexibility.

The Painfully Obvious Solution: Waive Bradley

The most straightforward solution to the Bradley dilemma is to waive him before his contract becomes fully guaranteed, likely before the January 10, 2026, deadline. This move offers several benefits:

1. Roster Flexibility: Waiving Bradley frees a roster spot, allowing the Pacers to sign a free agent, promote a two-way contract player, or pursue a trade. With only nine players currently signed for 2025-26, per HoopsHype, this flexibility is crucial.
2. Cap Space: Bradley’s $2.94 million salary, while modest, counts against the cap. Removing it keeps Indiana below the luxury tax threshold, preserving resources for extensions for Andrew Nembhard or Bennedict Mathurin.
3. Developmental Focus: With Bradley out, Jackson and Wiseman can compete for backup minutes behind Huff, accelerating their growth. Jarace Walker, a versatile forward, could also see time at small-ball five, enhancing lineup flexibility.
4. Trade Leverage: A cleared roster spot and cap space position the Pacers to absorb contracts in trades, potentially targeting a wing or guard to complement Haliburton’s return in 2026-27.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints noted that the Pacers are “not expected to keep both James Wiseman and Tony Bradley” due to the roster crunch, with Bradley being the likely cut due to his lower ceiling. Waiving him aligns with the team’s long-term vision of building around youth while maintaining competitiveness.

Why the Decision Is Difficult

Despite the clear rationale for waiving Bradley, the decision isn’t without complications. Bradley’s playoff performance earned him respect within the organization, and his veteran presence provides stability in a young locker room. His ability to step up in key moments, such as Game 4 against the Knicks, where he grabbed six rebounds in 10 minutes, highlights his value as a depth piece. Additionally, Wiseman’s injury recovery and Jackson’s durability concerns raise questions about relying solely on them for frontcourt depth.

The Pacers also face pressure to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, where teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks have bolstered their rosters. Keeping Bradley as insurance against injuries to Huff, Jackson, or Wiseman could be tempting, especially if the team aims for a playoff push in 2025-26 without Haliburton. However, this short-term benefit is outweighed by the long-term advantages of moving on.

The Silver Lining: Developing Young Talent

Waiving Bradley opens the door for Jackson and Wiseman to take on larger roles, which could define the Pacers’ future. Jackson, at 23, has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 2.1 blocks per game in limited playoff minutes. His athleticism and lob-finishing ability pair well with Haliburton’s playmaking, and increased minutes could help him develop into a starter. Wiseman, also 23, remains a high-upside project despite his injury. His 7’0” frame and 7’6” wingspan offer elite potential, and a full season in Carlisle’s system could unlock his game.

Jarace Walker, the 2023 eighth overall pick, also benefits from Bradley’s departure. At 6’8” with a 7’2” wingspan, Walker’s versatility allows him to play multiple positions, including small-ball five. His 40.1% three-point shooting in 2024-25 adds spacing, and increased minutes could solidify him as a core piece alongside Haliburton, Nesmith, and Mathurin.

Strategic Implications for the Pacers

The decision to waive Bradley aligns with the Pacers’ broader strategy of rebuilding around youth while staying competitive. Haliburton’s injury and Turner’s departure have forced a pivot toward long-term development, with players like Jackson, Wiseman, and Walker representing the future. By clearing Bradley’s contract, the Pacers can:

• Pursue Trades: A freed roster spot and cap space allow Indiana to target veterans on expiring deals or young players who fit their timeline. For example, a trade for a defensive-minded wing could address a need exposed in the Finals.
• Sign Free Agents: The Pacers could use the open spot to sign a veteran minimum big like JaVale McGee or a G League standout, providing depth without long-term commitments.
• Stay Below the Luxury Tax: Avoiding the tax preserves financial flexibility for 2026, when Haliburton returns and the free-agent market is expected to be more robust.

The Pacers’ fast-paced, high-scoring system thrives on versatility, and a frontcourt of Huff, Jackson, Wiseman, and Walker offers more upside than one including Bradley. Carlisle’s ability to experiment with lineups—such as a small-ball unit with Walker at the five—could unlock new dimensions for the team.

Challenges and Risks

Waiving Bradley carries risks. Jackson’s injury history (23 games missed in 2024-25) and Wiseman’s uncertain recovery timeline raise concerns about frontcourt depth. If Huff struggles to adapt to a larger role, the Pacers could face challenges against physical bigs like Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokić. Additionally, Bradley’s departure removes a known quantity who performed well in high-stakes games, potentially impacting locker room chemistry.

To mitigate these risks, the Pacers could explore low-cost free agents or promote two-way contract players like Oscar Tshiebwe, who showed promise in the G League. The team’s depth at guard—featuring Haliburton (when healthy), Nembhard, and Mathurin—should help offset frontcourt concerns by maintaining offensive firepower.

The Bigger Picture: Bradley’s Future and the Pacers’ Path

For Tony Bradley, being waived would be a setback but not the end of his NBA journey. At 27, he remains a capable backup center with playoff experience. Teams like the Toronto Raptors or Detroit Pistons, who are rebuilding, could offer him a training camp invite or a minimum deal. A stint in the G League or overseas could also keep him relevant for a 2026 return.

For the Pacers, waiving Bradley is a step toward building a sustainable contender. The 2025-26 season will be a transition year without Haliburton, but developing Jackson, Wiseman, and Walker could set the stage for a championship push in 2026-27. The team’s commitment to youth, as evidenced by their draft picks of Kam Jones and Taelon Peter, signals a focus on long-term growth.

The Indiana Pacers’ Tony Bradley dilemma is a microcosm of their offseason challenges: balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term potential. While Bradley’s contributions in the 2025 playoffs were valuable, his non-guaranteed contract and the team’s crowded frontcourt make waiving him the painfully obvious solution. This move frees up roster and cap space, accelerates the development of Jackson, Wiseman, and Walker, and positions the Pacers for strategic flexibility. As the 2025-26 season approaches, Indiana’s decision to move on from Bradley could prove to be a pivotal step in their journey back to contention.