Indiana Pacers Waive Center Micah Potter, Gain Financial Flexibility
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers plan to waive center Micah Potter, creating an open roster spot and financial flexibility.
After signing wing Kelly Oubre using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, the Pacers became hard capped at the first salary cap apron, meaning there is no circumstance in which their total team salary can exceed $209.015 million during the 2026-27 campaign. But after the Oubre addition, the Pacers total roster cost plus incentives sat at $207.13 million, meaning they could fit in less than $2 million more of team salary.
Earlier on Wednesday, Indiana agreed to terms with veteran center Larry Nance Jr, and a minimum contract for Nance would come with a cap hit of $2.45 million. So in order to bring in the 33-year old, the Pacers needed to make another move that lowered their total team salary.
Trades and waivers were the only ways to reduce that $207 million number, but trading requires an agreement with another team. A waiver can be done internally, and that’s the route the Pacers are taking. Potter’s contract for the 2026-27 season was completely non-guaranteed for just over $2.8 million, so waiving him leaves no cap hit on the Pacers books and frees up that much spending power for the front office.
Potter was productive for the blue and gold last season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He shot the ball well, especially for a center, and provided some mobility at the five. It was his best campaign as a pro and came with his biggest-ever contract.
Yet Potter was, at best, in a fight with Jay Huff for the Pacers backup center role heading into the coming season. He was going to have to earn his spot on the team again during the summer if he got the chance. But Indiana is moving on due to their salary cap reality.
The Pacers picked up a team option in Potter’s contract late last month, a no-brainer given the lack of guaranteed money in his deal. “Nope,” Potter said just after the season ended when asked if he’d thought at all about his upcoming free agency. “Just trying to take things one day at a time. I learned that the hard way last year. Just one day at a time.”
Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard, at one point in the offseason, suggested a battle between Potter and Huff could be on the horizon. But that was before Indiana became hard capped. That changed their financial situation and made Potter’s non-guaranteed contract an entirely different consideration. Then, about a week before free agency opened up, general manager Chad Buchanan said the team may be interested in adding a five man.
“We’ll see where we’re at with the center spot,” Buchanan said.
Nance, who is of more off-court value than on-court at this stage of his career, is being added at center. That, combined with Huff, Ivica Zubac, and small ball options like Obi Toppin, Johnny Furphy, and Pascal Siakam gives the Pacers enough depth at center.
To make Nance addition possible, Potter was waived. His low-salary contract could be claimed in the waiver process, but if it isn’t he will become a free agent on Friday. Should he go unclaimed, the Pacers could technically bring him back on an Exhibit 10 deal if they are so inclined.
After waiving Potter but before signing Nance, the Pacers are $4.7 million below the first apron with 13 players. Signing Nance would bring that number down to $2.24 million and would give the blue and gold 14 standard roster spots filled.