RealGM Basketball Wiretap

22 February 2025

• Alex Len To Receive Interest From Lakers, Pacers

  The Los Angeles Lakers will be amongst the teams to pursue Alex Len, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Len was traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Washington Wizards at the deadline and then bought out.

  Len has appeared in 36 games this season with the Kings, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.2 minutes.

  Shams Charania of ESPN previously reported that Len planned to sign with the Indiana Pacers.

• Alex Len To Join Pacers After Wizards Waiver

  Center Alex Len will be waived by the Washington Wizards. Len then plans to sign with the Indiana Pacers for the remainder of the season.

  Len was acquired by the Wizards at the trade deadline from the Sacramento Kings. He had been a backup for Domantas Sabonis for the last few seasons, but Washington has other options at the center position.

  Indiana cleared a roster spot at the deadline by sending James Wiseman, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon, to the Toronto Raptors. That room created space under the luxury tax for the Pacers to fit in a veteran minimum signing. That spot will go to Len to provide depth, and a more physical option, behind Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant.

• Pacers Trade James Wiseman, Cash To Raptors

  The Indiana Pacers have agreed to trade James Wiseman and cash to the Toronto Raptors.

  The Pacers signed Wiseman in the 2024 offseason, but he suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in October.

• Amen Thompson, Andrew Nembard Named NBA's Defensive Players Of January

  Amen Thompson and Andrew Nembard have been named the NBA's Defensive Players of the month for January.

  Thompson led the Western Conference in steals with 2.2 per game. Thompson was also the only player in the NBA to average at least 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.

  Nembhard ranked third in the Eastern Conference in steals with 1.9 per game. The Indiana Pacers led the East in Defensive Rating at 109.7.

• Ime Udoka, Rick Carlisle Named NBA's Coaches Of January

  Ime Udoka and Rick Carlisle have been named the NBA's Coaches of the Month for January.

  The Houston Rockets went 11-4 in January under Udoka, while the Indiana Pacers went 10-2.

• Pacers Will Only Consider Myles Turner Trade If Starting-Caliber Center Acquired In Return

  The Indiana Pacers are receiving significant trade interest in Myles Turner ahead of the February 6th NBA trade deadline, but sources tell Marc Stein that the team does not want to move him. Turner has spent his entire career with the Pacers since he was 11th overall pick in 2015 out of Texas.

  Turner, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer and is represented by Austin Brown, has drawn attention from multiple teams. The Pacers would only entertain a deal if they were to receive a starting-caliber center in return. Indiana has had depth issues at center this season.

  Turner is averaging 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocks in 31.1 minutes over 31.1 minutes this season. Turner is also shooting 40.0 percent on 5.2 three-point attempts per game.

  Because of salary cap concerns, the Pacers could consider trading away one of their surplus wings to better position themselves to re-sign Turner in the offseason.

• Pacers Unsure Of Paying Myles Turner $30M Per Season With New Contract

  The Indiana Pacers are uncertain whether to pay Myles Turner his expected asking price of over $30 million per season on his next contract, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

  Turner will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

  It is also unclear how available Turner is before the upcoming trade deadline.

  Turner is averaging 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds on the year.

• Kings, Pacers Leading Suitors For Cam Johnson

  Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets remains one of the hottest names on the NBA trade market. The Nets continue to insist they aren't in a must-trade situation with Johnson. However, most around the NBA believe they will move the forward ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.

  Two teams showing interest in Johnson include the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. The Kings potential package of Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles and a future first-round pick could be the offer to beat roughly two-and-a-half weeks from the deadline. As for the Pacers, they remain a team to watch in the Johnson sweepstakes.

  The Cleveland Cavaliers have also shown interest in Johnson. That interest has been preliminary, with the Cavs and Nets yet to have serious discussions.

• Bennedict Mathurin Suspended One Game For Bumping Referee

  Bennedict Mathurin has been suspended one game without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official.

  The incident occurred with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pacers' 127-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

  Mathurin will serve his suspension on Jan. 16 when the Pacers visit the Detroit Pistons.

• Tyrese Haliburton Leaves Win Over Cavs With Hamstring Tightness

  Tyrese Haliburton missed the second half of the Indiana Pacers' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers due to left hamstring tightness.

  Rick Carlisle had no updates on Haliburton's status after the game.

  Haliburton suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain last January.