Indiana Pacers assistant general manager Ted Wu revealed Thursday that two-way players Kobe Brown and Jalen Slawson could begin the regular season with the NBA club. This move aims to bolster the team's depth as they handle a challenging stretch, having lost four of their last five games including a 121-133 result against the Detroit Pistons on April 12. Wu spoke at the team's charity golf outing, explaining the coaching staff's growing trust in both players.
Ted Wu said the decision stems from the significant growth both players showed late last season. He pointed to the coaching staff's increased confidence in them as reliable options. "I think Kobe and Slaw had a lot of growth towards the end of the year last year," Wu told reporters. "That growth has led to the coaching staff trusting them and being able to rely on them if they get in a pinch."
Wu emphasized the importance of roster depth, especially early in the schedule. He wouldn't be surprised to see both players contributing immediately. The Pacers expect to open the season with 14 players on standard NBA contracts. Brown, Slawson, and rookie Braden Smith are currently on two-way deals, which allow for up to 50 active regular-season games and a salary up to $678,882.
Brown arrived in Indiana from the LA Clippers on February 5. His performance after the trade made a strong impression. In 27 games with the Pacers, including 10 starts, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. His shooting was efficient, hitting 50.3% from the field and an impressive 43.3% from three-point range.
This marked a major jump from his 34 games with the Clippers, where he averaged just 2.9 points. The 2023 first-round pick re-signed on his two-way contract in July, securing his place in the Pacers' plans. His ability to stretch the floor provides a valuable skill set for the team's rotation.
Slawson took a different path, dominating the G League with the Noblesville Boom for most of the last season. In 37 games there, he put up 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per contest. He led the Boom in points (713), assists (202), and blocks (87), earning first-team All-Defensive honors.
The Pacers signed him to a two-way deal in late February. He appeared in 13 NBA games, starting six, and averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while making 37.5% of his threes. His July Summer League performance was standout, averaging 20.8 points and 3.2 blocks. Originally drafted 54th overall by Sacramento in 2023, Slawson re-signed with Indiana on July 22.
Wu outlined a different development path for rookie point guard Braden Smith. The focus is on getting him extensive playing time to adapt to the NBA pace. "I always feel like the more you play, the better it is for your development," Wu explained. He wants Smith to get heavy reps with the Boom to prepare for future Pacers minutes.
A key area of growth is speed. "One thing I go back to in his development is learn to play fast with us," Wu continued. "He's trying to adapt to playing faster than he was accustomed to at Purdue." The G League games are seen as the perfect environment for Smith to build that tempo before stepping into an NBA role.
The team's recent form shows the need for reliable depth. Their last five games show a 1-4 record (LLWLL), with consecutive losses to close that period. After the 121-133 loss to Detroit, they fell 94-105 to the Philadelphia 76ers on April 10. Their lone win in that stretch was a dominant 123-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on April 9.
Earlier losses came against the Minnesota Timberwolves (104-124 on April 7) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (117-108 on April 5). Integrating trusted players like Brown and Slawson from the start could help stabilize rotations and provide a spark off the bench as the team looks to improve its results.
