INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers are exercising the club option in center Micah Potter’s contract for the 2026-27 season, a league source confirmed to the IndyStar on Monday.
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported the signing first.
Potter will make $2.8 million if he makes it through the season, but the contract won’t be fully guaranteed unless he’s still on the roster on Jan. 10, 2027. That gives the Pacers the ability to monitor the center market and waive Potter at any point between now and then if they think they can find an upgrade and not take his full cap hit.
That being said, Potter took advantage of his opportunity in the 2025-26 season well enough that the Pacers might not be able to find a better option at or around his price point. In 47 games including seven starts, he averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 51.5% from the floor including 42.3% from 3-point range, knocking down a career-high 71 of 168 attempts.
The former Wisconsin star had played a total of 61 games over the previous three seasons on a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and he was signed by the Spurs last summer but failed to make the team out of training camp. He was playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League when the Pacers signed him the day after Christmas to provide depth when Isaiah Jackson suffered a concussion. A strong start led to the Pacers guaranteeing his contract and eventually waiving Tony Bradley and trading Jackson.
Potter is likely to be the third center behind starter Ivica Zubac and Jay Huff, but could be a better matchup than Huff in certain situations.
With Potter’s option taken care of, the Pacers have two open standard contracts as they head into free agency. They traded guard Kam Jones to the Bulls and drafted Purdue guard Braden Smith, who is expected to play on a two-way contract, to open up one deal. Forward Kobe Brown will enter unrestricted free agency, opening up the other spot.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers pick up Micah Potter’s club option; what it means for NBA free agency
Reporting by Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
