Moses Brown's Release by Pacers as they Revise Budget and Ponder Center Position Adjustments
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers released center Moses Brown on Monday, concluding a brief association. The Pacers acquired the large figure from necessity in November but decided to part ways with him less than three weeks later.
Brown joined the squad during a period when Pacers primary center Myles Turner was injured and backup options Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman were sidelined — both are expected to miss the entire season. Indiana required some height, so they opted for the seven-foot two-inch Brown.
He participated in nine games in total, but many of these appearances were during inconsequential minutes. Six of his outings featured fewer than five minutes of action — the Pacers often preferred smaller frontcourt options and combinations.
The Reason Behind the Indiana Pacers Dismissing Moses Brown
Although Brown showcased a commendable performance here and there, such as his 15-point, four-rebound performance in a victory over the Washington Wizards, his overall impact wasn't consistent enough for Indiana to justify maintaining him. He was occupying a roster spot and was burdening their growing salary cap. Every penny matters for the luxury tax-conscious Pacers, and Brown wasn't getting enough court time to warrant his two-year contract, which was non-guaranteed.
This week, the Pacers have a stretch of four days without a game due to NBA Cup scheduling. They created a little breathing room in their salary cap by releasing Brown during this period when they were not playing, and there's a significant date approaching at the end of the week. December 15 marks the day several players who were signed as free agents during the 2024 offseason can be traded, and the Pacers now have more flexibility in their trade options following the release of Brown.
“He’s a formidable presence at the rim and he charges toward the basket,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle of Brown earlier this season. They wanted him to rebound and run. “He’s working on adapting. He’s a wonderful kid. He truly appreciates this opportunity.”
The giant averaged 3.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game for Indiana. His best game came against Washington, and he had solid nights against New Orleans and Houston. His rebounding efforts provided a boost.
Assuming Brown clears waivers on Wednesday, his salary cap hit for Indiana will be around $300k this season. That's not a considerable amount, but it does matter for the Pacers, who are close to the luxury tax threshold — they are about $2.21 million away from the tax line after releasing Brown. The big man was essential during his brief stint with the Pacers, and his peace of mind as a reserve was invaluable. But he wasn't getting enough playing time to merit a spot on the team.
The Pacers may still need a center, though. They are now down to just one in Turner and have been relying heavily on Obi Toppin and Enrique Freeman at the five spot. When the team plays small, they can pair one of those players with Pascal Siakam or Jarace Walker, but the Pacers are one injury or foul-heavy night away from facing trouble.
This reality makes releasing Brown a challenging decision, but he wasn't delivering the results Indiana needed. His limited minutes were a disadvantage, and he missed all but one shot across his six lowest-scoring games. Many of his efficiency and scoring numbers were inflated due to a few strong outings — though those games did display potential and effective play.
“We won't be beaten on the boards as long as I'm in there,” Brown said of his intentions to aid the Pacers. He understands his strengths lie in rebounding. “That's probably my main focus.”
Brown hails from the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks, so he might end up there again. In the meantime, the Pacers will need to find a way to fill their center minutes with limited options. The trade market could open up soon, which could aid them in their search for a reserve center following the departure of their tallest player.
Indiana's roster now stands at 14 players. They possess the means to acquire another budget-friendly player, and trade season is fast approaching. The Pacers will be on the hunt for reserve centers after parting ways with their tallest player.
After releasing Moses Brown, the Indiana Pacers gained salary cap flexibility, becoming more equipped for potential trades involving free agents signed during the 2024 offseason, starting from December 15. Despite his strong performance against the Washington Wizards and some solid outings, Brown's overall inconsistency and limited minutes made it challenging for the Pacers to justify keeping him, given their salary cap constraints.
With Brown's departure, the Pacers are now down to just one true center in Myles Turner, and they might need to look for budget-friendly options to fill their center minutes. Given the potential player acquisitions during trade season, the Pacers possess the means to add another reserve center to their 14-player roster.
