The Indiana Pacers and head coach Rick Carlisle have agreed to a multi-year contract extension. Carlisle is in his third year in his second stint as the Pacers head coach.

In this go-around, Carlisle has a record of 61-104. However, Indiana was encouraged by the progress showed by last season's team before injuries caused a late-season drop in the standings.

Carlisle previously coached Indiana to three playoff appearances in four seasons from 2003 to 2007.

Aaron Nesmith and the Indiana Pacers have agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract extension.

Nesmith becomes the 10th player in the 2020 draft class to sign an extension.

The Denver Nuggets lost Bruce Brown this offseason. Most consider that a major loss for the defending champions. Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth doesn't necessarily agree.

Booth is high on second-year wing Peyton Watson taking a big step forward this season. So much so that Booth believes Watson is ready to replace Brown, albeit in different ways.

“Some of these teams were trying to get Bruce, trying to make it worth it; it’s like, just be careful what you wish for,” Booth said about the rivals that pursued Brown. “Peyton’s bigger. He’s longer. He’s more athletic. He guards better. He passes better. He doesn’t have the experience, and he’s not as good offensively yet, but we need defense more than we need offense on our team.”

Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers this past summer. The Nuggets were limited in how much they could offer Brown, as they held only Non-Bird rights for the veteran wing.

The Indiana Pacers have exercised their 2024-25 rookie scale team options for Isaiah Jackson and Bennedict Mathurin. This is the fourth-year option for Jackson and the third-year option for Mathurin.

Jackson became a rotation regular for Indiana last season. He played 16.5 minutes per game over 63 appearances and averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

Mathurin was a standout player as a rookie. He averaged 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game over 78 appearances.

The Indiana Pacers waived Jordan Bell and Elfrid Payton on Saturday.

Both players are set to join the Mad Ants in the G League.