Can it still be scratched out? The 24-year-old Wiseman still has to compete for a position in the Pacers

Wiseman's performance in the Pacers' first two preseason games was pretty good. Against the Timberwolves, Wiseman made 2 of 2 shots and scored 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists; against the Thunder, Wiseman made 4 of 4 shots and scored 10 points and 5 rebounds. Even so, Wiseman's current situation with the Pacers is still unclear. His contract is non-guaranteed and he needs to continue to compete for a guaranteed position.

Last season, the Pacers signed a contract with Wiseman. At that time, Wiseman was highly valued by Carlisle, and he was used as Myles Turner's first substitute. However, he suffered a serious injury in the first game and was ended for the season. The Pacers traded him to the Raptors, who then waived Wiseman.

This year's offseason, Turner left the team, and the Pacers signed a multi-year contract with Wiseman, but the contract is not guaranteed. A year later, Turner left, but Wiseman is not the Pacers' first choice for the center position. He still needs competition to get the job. In the two preseason games, the Pacers' center position was played in order of Isaiah Jackson, Bradley/Hood, and Wiseman.

For Wiseman, he has no choice at the moment. He can only work hard to play the game well and leave it to fate. In the two games, Wiseman's style in the game has not changed. He still focuses on eating inside, protecting the rebounds on the defensive end, and protecting the basket. What the Pacers like about him is his size, which can serve as an alley-oop threat and attract pick-and-roll tactics.

In the game against the Thunder, Wiseman came out in the fourth quarter and scored 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including 2 assists from Dennis and 1 assist from Walker.

Another time after a teammate's hand slipped, he recovered it to complete the score.

He also grabbed an offensive rebound and layup, causing the opponent to foul.

Although Wiseman is thin, his size is still too good. With a height of 2.11 meters and a wingspan of 2.26 meters, he helps him protect rebounds well.

When Wiseman screens his teammates, he still uses his habitual slip screen (fake pick-and-roll). Although this kind of pick-and-roll is always criticized and ridiculed by some fans, slip screen is still the easiest tactic to score points for a center with strong finishing ability at the basket and threat of alley-oops.

Fake pick-and-roll is also an important pick-and-roll tactic, which can not only create scoring opportunities inside, but also contain outside defense. For example, in the following two pick-and-rolls, Wiseman's downswing has very obviously mobilized the Thunder's defensive formation, so fans do not have to ridicule this pick-and-roll form.

Although Wiseman suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon last season, his mobility on the defensive end has not changed. In terms of dynamic ability, he has recovered well and still has a strong ability to switch defenses on the outside.

The good news for Wiseman is that in the first two games, Jackson served as the starting center, and his game state was not good, averaging 2.5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 fouls per game. Substitute center Bradley averaged 5 minutes per game and scored 1 point and 2.5 rebounds. Based on this performance, the Pacers may give Wiseman more opportunities as a backup to replace Bradley or even Jackson in the regular season.

Wiseman has experienced three teams in the league, the Warriors, Pistons, and Pacers, and was reimbursed for one season. He feels like a experienced veteran, but in fact he is only 24 years old. As the second pick in 2020, if he can use his basic salary to earn a rotation-level value, the Pacers will make money.