Indiana’s offseason has been relatively quiet, but the Pacers now have a name that isn’t tied to a marquee contract: 26-year-old forward Jalen Slawson. Signed to a league-minimum two-way deal, Slawson turned the NBA Summer League into a résumé, posting solid scoring, rebounding, playmaking and rim protection while shooting efficiently from the floor. Those numbers suggest a role that could exceed the typical two-way call-up.
Slawson’s Summer League surge builds on a modest rookie campaign in which he logged double-digit scoring, respectable rebounding, solid assist numbers and strong defensive contributions while shooting well from both the field and three-point range. That production came in a limited sample of games in which he started a portion of the contests, placing him among the more productive two-way players last season.
Under NBA rules, each team can carry three players on two-way contracts. Indiana already has rookie point guard Braden Smith and wing Kobe Brown competing for those slots, and the organization also retains Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson on two-way deals. With Slawson, Smith and Brown likely to remain through training camp, the final roster decisions will hinge on how each player performs relative to the limited two-way spots and the overall needs of the roster.
The Pacers have reshaped the roster with a two-year deal for veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr., a one-year contract for veteran big man Larry Nance Jr., and a trade that delivered center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. While those moves address veteran depth and interior presence, Slawson offers a low-cost, high-upside option that could supplement the existing wing depth. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor without a sizable cap hit aligns with the front office’s incremental upgrade strategy.
The next decisive window arrives with the preseason roster deadline, when teams must trim to the required number of standard contracts. If Slawson continues to impress in camp, he could earn a guaranteed spot or a short-term contract that extends his exposure. Should he fall short, the Pacers can retain him on the two-way list, preserving the flexibility to call him up as needed. Either outcome will depend on his translation of Summer League efficiency into regular-season competition, and his story underscores how a two-way contract can serve as a springboard rather than a dead-end for a player looking to carve out a lasting role in the NBA.
