RealGM Basketball Wiretap

05 September 2025

• RealGM Radio: Danny Cunningham, Haize On The Central Division

  The NBA's Central Division is one of the most competitive in the NBA. Wes Goldberg and guests Danny Cunningham and Haize dissect offseason moves, potential lineups, and bold predictions for the Cavaliers, Pacers, Bucks, Bulls and Pistons.

  From Tyrese Haliburton's season-ending Achilles injury and the Cavaliers battling their playoff demons, the guys break down every angle. They also discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee, the Bulls' longview and why the Pistons could win 50 games.

  Time Stamps
  0:00 Intro: Central Division preview
  5:21 Debate on teams' offseason improvements
  10:39 Most intriguing offseason move: Lonzo Ball trade
  16:52 Myles Turner's impact on Bucks' future
  23:05 Josh Giddey contract situation with Bulls
  29:49 Predictions for Central Division standings
  35:56 Central teams making playoffs
  40:10 Players with changing perceptions next year
  46:51 Bold predictions for the division

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• Tyrese Haliburton Says 'It'll Be 15 Months' Before Playing Again

  Tyrese Haliburton was a recent guest on Impaulsive, hosted by Logan Paul. Haliburton touched on a lot of topics, including when he might suit up again in an NBA game.

  When asked how when he might play again, Haliburton indicated it would be ahead of 2026 training camp.

  "I think it'll be 15 months until I play my next game," the Pacers star said.

  That timeline from injury to return would put Haliburton in line to be ready for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season. That would be roughly 15 months from tearing his Achilles' tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22.

  It's been expected that Haliburton would miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season. Recovery from a torn Achilles' is usual a year-long process. Because the injury occurred at the latest possible point last season, it was always likely Indiana will be without their star guard this season.

  Haliburton also detailed the process he went through leading up to the Game 7 injury.

  "I've had calf strains before, and I met with the doctor. He said, 'In the regular season, I would tell you to sit two to three weeks', but it's the Finals," Haliburton said about the diagnosis. "And I'm like, 'What the (expletive)? You think I'm going to sit down?' I'm not going to say who, but I had some close friends, family, and mentors in my life call me after Game 5 and say: 'Hey, shut it down.'"

  Haliburton was clear that he has no regrets about playing in Game 7, despite the strained calf diagnosis.

  "No. Hell no. Hell no. I'll be honest: I called KD after I got my MRI after Game 5. I said, 'Bro, do you regret playing in the game you tore (your Achilles')?' He said, 'No, not at all.' I was like, 'Alright.'," Haliburton said of talking to Kevin Durant. "Yeah, I wasn't going to switch anyway, so I'm glad he said that. It made me feel a little bit better. But no, I don't regret it, bro."

• Pacers Hire Johnny Carpenter As Assistant Coach, Move Jim Boylen To Front Of Bench

  The Indiana Pacers have hired Johnny Carpenter as an assistant coach on the staff of Rick Carlisle.

  Carpenter spent last season with the Memphis Grizzlies in a player development and scouting role, and prior to that spent nine years on the Virginia Cavaliers coaching staff in various roles, including as assistant coach, Director of Player Personnel, and basketball technology assistant. He also served as assistant video coordinator with the Dallas Mavericks under Carlisle during the 2014-15 season.
  
  In a related move, Jim Boylen will join Lloyd Pierce and Jenny Boucek on the front of the bench as assistant coaches. The Pacers also recently mutually agreed to part ways with Mike Weinar.

• Mike Weinar, Pacers Mutually Agree To Part Ways

  Assistant coach Mike Weinar and the Indiana Pacers have mutually agreed to part ways. Weinar had been a candidate to join the coaching staff of Mike Brown with the New York Knicks before he pulled his name out of the running earlier this month.

  "Mike Weinar has been a trusted friend and loyal colleague for 17+ years. As a coach, he is a proven winner with two National Championship rings with Florida Men's Basketball in 2006 and 2007, and an NBA Championship ring from our 2011 championship run in Dallas. Mike also played a major role in this year's historic Finals run with the Pacers," Rick Carlisle. "Mike's exemplary character as a father, husband, and man has been evident to me over nearly two decades. Professional success has followed Mike everywhere he has gone, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future."

• Rick Carlisle Among NBA's Most Influential Coaches In Roster Construction

  Rick Carlisle is believed to be one of the NBA's most influential head coaches when it comes to player personnel decisions. Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers signed a multi-year extension this offseason following their appearance in the Finals where they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. Carlisle was hired by the Pacers during the 2021 offseason.

  "From my understanding, behind the scenes, Rick Carlisle is one of the more active coaches in the league when it comes to influence over the roster," reports Jake Fischer.

  Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan have long been entrenched in the front office of the Pacers predating Carlisle's arrival.

  "Carlisle is known around the league to have as formidable of a finger on the Pacers' roster construction and overall talent evaluation-just roster construction and player scouting and draft evaluations," added Fischer.

• Rick Carlisle, Pacers Agree To Contract Extension

  The Indiana Pacers have agreed to a multiyear contract extension with head coach Rick Carlisle. The Pacers made a surprising run to the 2025 NBA Finals, extending the series to seven games against the favored Oklahoma City Thunder.

  Carlisle is in the midst of his second stint as Indiana's head coach. He's gone 157-171 during this period. Over the last two seasons, the Pacers are 23-17 in the postseason, advancing to the Finals last season and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024.

  Overall, Carlisle is 993-860 as a head coach with the Pacers, Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks. Carlisle won the 2011 NBA Finals while coaching the Mavericks.

• Mike Weinar Out Of Running For Knicks' Top Assistant Coach Job To Stay With Pacers

  Mike Weinar has removed himself from consideration for the New York Knicks' top assistant coach job under Mike Brown. Weinar decided to remain with the Indiana Pacers under Rick Carlisle.

  The Knicks are also considering Chris Jent for the job.

  Brown has hired Riccardo Fois and Charles Allen as assistant coaches while also retaining Rick Brunson.

• Thomas Bryant Close To Deal With Panathinaikos

  Thomas Bryant is nearing a deal with Panathinaikos, reports Telesport. The Greek club previously pursued a deal with Jonas Valanciunas, who decided to remain in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets.

  Bryant appeared in 66 games last season with the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.

  The Pacers lost Myles Turner in free agency, but re-signed Isaiah Jackson.

• Pacers, Taelon Peter Agree To Two-Way Contract

  The Indiana Pacers signed Taelon Peter to a Two-Way contract, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The Pacers selected Peter with the No. 54 pick in the 2025 draft.

  Peter averaged 13.7 points last season at Liberty University while shooting 45.3% from three.

• Isaiah Jackson, Pacers Agree To Three-Year, $21M Deal

  Isaiah Jackson and the Indiana Pacers have agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal. Jackson, who was a restricted free agent, is coming off a torn Achilles suffered in early November.

  Jackson has career averages of 7.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 14.9 minutes across four seasons with the Pacers.