Latest news with #KevinPritchard
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
When NBA Stars Fall, Teams Get Help Paying Their Mega-Salaries
Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard confirmed this week that star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season after he tore his Achilles tendon during the NBA Finals. It's a devastating on-court blow for the Eastern Conference champs, who must also adjust to the departure of free agent center Myles Turner. One consolation: Insurance will cover up to $18.2 million of Haliburton's $45.6 million guaranteed salary for 2025-26. Advertisement More from The NBA oversees a temporary total disability (TTD) insurance program for the benefit of individual teams. Each club insures a minimum of four of its highest-paid players, as defined by either the current season salary or total remaining salary. Teams have the option to insure additional players. The policy pays out after players miss 41 consecutive regular-season games, which can span two seasons. The benefit is either 50% or 80% of the player's salary, depending on the 'tier' of coverage selected by the team—the higher tier requires a higher annual premium. Last season, the max payout was roughly $492,000 per game. The $18.2 million potential benefit for the Pacers for Haliburton is based on the higher tier, which pays 80%. Teams are responsible for the balance of the salary. Prior versions of the NBA's TTD program covered five players on each club, and the maximum payout was $175,000 per game, and then raised to $275,000 per game as salaries climbed. Advertisement All-NBA star Jayson Tatum is also likely to be sidelined for most, if not all, of the season after he tore his Achilles tendon during the Boston Celtics' loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals—his $54.1 million salary for 2025-26 ranks tied for fourth in the NBA. The Celtics will collect just over $20 million based on maximum coverage. Other high-priced stars likely to miss a chunk of next season recovering from injuries include Kyrie Irving ($36.6 million salary) and Dejounte Murray ($26.8 million salary). Irving missed the Mavericks' last 20 games of the 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL, while Murray was sidelined for the New Orleans Pelicans' final 33 games after rupturing his Achilles in January. Damian Lillard, who suffered his own Achilles injury during the 2025 playoffs, was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, who 'stretched' the remaining $112.6 million left on his contract over five years. It is unclear whether insurance will cover any of his deal. A representative for the Bucks declined to comment on the matter. The league has a separate program for injured players for salary cap purposes. The disabled player exception (DPE) allows a team to sign one replacement player after someone suffers a season-ending injury or illness. The salary is capped at the lesser of 50% of the injured player's salary or the non-tax mid-level exemption, which is $14.1 million for the 2025-26 season. They can also acquire a player in a trade under the same salary rules, plus $100,000. Advertisement Best of Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indiana Pacers 宣佈 Tyrese Haliburton 因跟腱撕裂將缺席 2025-26 NBA 賽季
為了確保 Tyrese Haliburton 的長期健康，球隊不會讓他急於明年復出，杜絕任何不切實際的期待。 Indiana Pacers 王牌控衛 Tyrese Haliburton 因右腳跟腱撕裂，將缺席整個 2025-26 NBA 球季。 傷勢發生於剛落幕的總決賽 Game 7，當時 Pacers 不敵 Oklahoma City Thunder。 Indiana Pacers 近日正式宣佈其明星控衛 Tyrese Haliburton 因右腳跟腱撕裂，將缺席整個 2025-26 NBA 賽季。溜馬籃球運營總裁 Kevin Pritchard 明確表示為了確保 Haliburton 的長期健康，球隊不會讓他於明年復出，杜絕任何不切實際的期待。 這場毀滅性的傷病發生在最近 NBA 總決賽第七場的第一節，當時溜馬不敵 Oklahoma City Thunder。核磁共振檢查證實了跟腱撕裂的診斷，這位 25 歲的球星隨即接受手術。雖然手術順利，但球隊選擇採取謹慎的復健策略，優先考慮他的完全康復。Pritchard 強調：「他明年不會上場，我們絕不會拿他的健康冒險。」 Tyrese Haliburton 從醫院病床上透過 X 向球迷發表了一則感性貼文，為讓球迷失望致歉，並承諾「會全力以赴回到這個位置」。他的缺陣加上 Myles Turner 的離隊，讓溜馬在即將到來的賽季面臨重大挑戰，失去兩位核心先發的他們勢必進入重建階段。球迷對這位年輕球星的回歸充滿期待，但目前球隊的重心將放在穩健的未來規劃上。 相關報導 > Chris Paul 直言或將於 2025-26 賽季後高掛球鞋退休 > 走進 Jordan Brand 一對一籃球錦標賽「THE ONE」台北站 > Nike Basketball 率先預覽 SNKRS 2025-2026 最新發售鞋款
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton confirmed to miss 2025-26 season with Achilles injury
The post Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton confirmed to miss 2025-26 season with Achilles injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. Tyrese Haliburton suffered a brutal Achilles injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It was a bitter ending for the star point guard and the Indiana Pacers as the franchise lost the championship while Haliburton had to come back from a serious injury. On Monday, reports confirmed he'll be out for the entire 2025-26 season. Advertisement The plan is for the 25-year-old point guard to return after the 2025-26 season. Pacers' president of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard, confirmed that Tyrese Haliburton will not play next season, while talking with WISH-TV News. Indiana wants to allow Haliburton to fully recover from the injury and will not rush him back onto the court. 'I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever,' said Pritchard. 'The surgery went well… He will not play next year, though. We would not jeopardize that now. Don't get any hopes up that [Haliburton] will play.' This is the news Pacers fans were expecting all along, as Achilles tears typically take a full year to recover from. The good news is that Tyrese Haliburton is still young and should be able to bounce back without a hiccup once he does return. But he'll be sidelined for quite some time before then. Advertisement Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury puts Indiana in a weird spot. Coming off a Finals appearance, the franchise must now find a way to address the roster for next season while also thinking about Haliburton's return. The Pacers already lost center Myles Turner in free agency to the Milwaukee Bucks, so it's possible the front office focuses on youth and development next season. That would give Indiana a chance to have a mini-rebuild while Tyrese Haliburton nurses his injury. The franchise could be in a situation where it acquires a talented prospect in next year's NBA Draft while also being in a position to sign an exciting free agent or two this time next year. It might be a long year next season. However, the long-term outlook for the Pacers is still fantastic, especially if Tyrese Haliburton can return to form, as he was one of the most clutch performers in the 2024-25 playoffs. Related: Celtics offered Pacers help after Tyrese Haliburton injury Advertisement Related: Myles Turner's new Bucks contract is more than initially reported
Forbes
4 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Pacers Sign Rookie Kam Jones To Unique Four-Year Standard Contract
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Kam Jones #1 of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts after a play ... More against the Providence Friars during the second half at Fiserv Forum on February 25, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by) INDIANAPOLIS – Kam Jones has signed his first professional contract, inking a four-year deal with the Indiana Pacers. Jones, a rookie that the Pacers acquried via a draft trade with the San Antonio Spurs, was the 38th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Indiana wanted a selection early in the second round for multiple reasons – the keys ones being that the team didn't have a first-round pick after a mid-June trade and the roster projected to be expensive while selections in the 30s end up being cheaper contributors. Why did the Pacers sign and draft Kam Jones? With all of that at play, the Pacers acquired Jones. The guard spent four years at Marquette, where he played both on and off the ball during different seasons. As a senior, he averaged 19.2 points and 5.9 assists per game. 'Tough kid. Loves the gym, lives for the gym. I like the fact that he played (positions) two and one. He was a two guard the year before, then a point guard,' Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said of Jones. 'But if you ever get around him, he reminds me of, personlity wise, [Tyrese Haliburton]Jones has been practicing with his new team ahead of summer league this week. He, along with returning Pacers RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson, project to get a big dose of ball handling reps. That should benefit Jones, who can succeed at multiple positions. He has experience next to NBA-level creators. Jones spent three seasons playing next to now-New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek, one of the best passers in college basketball across the last few seasons. Jones shot better from three-point range those seasons – he is prepared for off-ball responsibilities, but he can be a creator himself. 'I think it's great to just be dynamic. It adds a layer to his game and to the team,' Pacers summer league head coach Isaac Yacob said of Jones' versatility. 'Having to have the ball in my hands really gave me a bunch of reps being at point guard. It really helped me game. Being a little flexibile, can do either/or,' Jones added of those roles. What kind of contract did the Pacers sign Jones to? The skill and versatility combination attracted the Pacers to Jones. The team put their money where their mouth is earlier this week, signing Jones to a standard contract. It's a multi-year agreement that became possible because of the second-round pick exception. The contract is only fully guaranteed in the first season, and that year comes in at the NBA's rookie minimum value – just under $1.3 million. The second season of the deal is also as low as it could possibly be in terms of base salary, then the third and fourth years come at a standard value because of the exception used to sign Jones. Marquette's Kam Jones during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall ... More Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) In total, the four-year agreement comes with a maximum total value of about $8.7 million. The second season of the contract is partially guaranteed, then the last two years and filled with options and non-guaranteed money. It's a rare deal in that not a ton of guaranteed money has been committed by the Pacers for a player on a four-year standard deal. In fact, Jones is top 2025 draft pick who didn't get the first two years of his contract fully guaranteed. Every first-round pick earns a rookie-scale contract, and the first two seasons of those agreements are guaranteed by default. Second-round picks don't have to be, but selections 31 through 37 all received fully guaratneed money across the first two seasons of their deal, according to various reports. Jones only has one fully guaranteed season, and his contract comes with only $2.3 million guaranteed. Of course, Jones could make much more than that. If he plays well – and the Pacers clearly believe he can or they woudn't have picked him – he could make up to the full $8.7 million. But he has about $1 million less guaranteed to him than the seven players picked in the second round above him. It's a good deal for the Pacers. Part of the appeal of Jones for the Pacers was the rookie minimum being lower than the veteran's minimum. When Indiana was projecting to be a luxury tax team – prior to Myles Turner's departure – those smaller deals would have been helpful. They still will be, of course, but in a different way. The Pacers have more flexibility to use salary cap exceptions this season with Jones on a smaller contract. He'll make his debut for the blue and gold during summer league play in Las Vegas. 'I'm impressed with, he fits in with the group well,' Yacob said. 'Basketball IQ, he's been able to pick things up and retain it and implement it into live play very quickly.' Jones, 23, is presently dealing with a hamstring injury that Pritchard outlined earlier this week. But the team is excited about him, and they were able to both draft him and secure his services on a team-friendly deal. 'I'm right where I want to be man,' Jones said of being with the Pacers. 'I think I'm the epitome of that. Just being with a team, being with a group of guys that just want to win and put their teammates before themselves.'
Forbes
4 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
James Wiseman Returns To Pacers As Indiana Bets On Development And Potential
Indiana Pacers' James Wiseman (13) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson (13) during the ... More second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long) INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers have re-signed center James Wiseman to a two-year contract. Wiseman's signing was originally revealed when Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard spoke with reporters in the Pacers practice facility on Monday. 'We saw a lot of potential in him in the preseason and going up until his injury. Very long, very athletic, becoming a better shooter,' Pritchard said of Wiseman. 'I think he's getting to that point where his injury is allowing him to get on the court. Not full, but do a lot. And I think Jim Boylen has done a great job with him.' The injury Pritchard noted is a torn Achilles that Wiseman sufferred in the first regular season game of the 2024-25 season. It held him out for the rest of the campaign, and the Pacers ultimately traded Wiseman to get his salary off of their books. Even after the injury and trade, Wiseman rehabbed from his injury in Indianapolis. He could be seen in the Pacers practice facility down the stretch of the recent campaign – Indiana knows his recovery outlook better than anyone. Why did the Pacers re-sign James Wiseman? Now, he's back with the franchise for a second season. Wiseman had six points and one rebound in his lone appearance for Indiana last season – a win over the Detroit Pistons. 'The minutes he was in there [weren't] very long. Ended up being a six-point game, and he scored six points, so his minutes were meaningful,' Pacers head coach Rick Carlsile said that night. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 17: James Wiseman #13 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a shot while ... More being guarded by Moussa Diabaté #14 of the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) Wiseman turned 24 earlier this year. He's still young despite being around for five NBA seasons, though two of them ended before they started. He was on the roster for the Golden State Warriors championship in 2022 and put up his best numbers (12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game) with the Pistons in 2022-23. Because he is young and relatively inexperienced (just 148 career games), Wiseman's signing with Indiana is once again a bet on the team's ability to develop. That was the case last summer, too, but the Pacers new outlook actually makes a development bet make more sense now. With Myles Turner departing for the Milwaukee Bucks and Tyrese Haliburton out for all of next season, the 2025-26 campaign could be more about a blend of winning and devleopment that recent Pacers seasons. Wiseman makes good sense in that environment, especially since Indiana clearly likes his skillset after signing him two years in a row. They also are comfortable with his rehab since they've seen it more than anyone. 'I just want to develop, I just want to learn. I don't have any expectations or anything,' Wiseman said last summer after signing with the blue and gold. 'This is already a winning team. So just coming in, just learning, just trying to see what I can do to [have an] impact.' Wiseman is huge and has hops, an arcehtype worth betting on. In the preseason last year, Wiseman played in four games for Indiana – he averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 70.8% from the field. The Tennessee native signed a two-year contract with the Pacers. It's a minimum-salary deal that contains a team option on the second season and is partially guarateed in both years. That's a fairly team-friendly deal, but fair value for someone who hasn't found his NBA footing yet. Wiseman projects to be one on Indiana's top three centers. Jay Huff and Tony Bradley are currently under contract for the blue and gold at the position, and Isaiah Jackson is trending toward a deal, accoridng to Prithcard. Jackson and Huff would likely be the top two bigs in the pecking order among that four, though all four are young and bring something different to the table. The Pacers roster now has 14 players. Wiseman has averaged 9.1 points per game during his career.
