The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday afternoon that they have waived guard Tristen Newton, who was on a two-way contract. The transaction became official at 5 p.m. ET, just hours after Newton posted an impressive performance for the Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers’ G League affiliate. Newton recorded 22 points, four rebounds, and eight assists in an overtime loss to the Westchester Knicks earlier in the day.
Newton, the 49th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, joined the Pacers on a two-way deal after a decorated collegiate career at UConn, where he won two national championships and displayed versatility in different roles. While his do-it-all style intrigued the Pacers, Newton’s NBA opportunities were limited due to Indiana’s strong guard depth. He appeared in just five NBA games, averaging 0.6 points and 0.2 assists per game, while spending the majority of his time with the Mad Ants.
In the G League, Newton excelled, averaging 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game across 14 appearances, shooting an impressive 39.6% from beyond the arc. Despite his success, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files reported that the decision to part ways was Newton’s preference.
With Newton’s departure, the Pacers now have an open two-way contract slot, which provides an opportunity to bring in a new player. Two-way contract players earn half of the NBA’s minimum salary for players with zero years of service—$578,000 this season—but do not count against the salary cap. Indiana has until early March to fill the vacancy.
Newton will become a free agent on Friday if he is not claimed by another team on waivers. His recent draft status and strong G League performance could make him an attractive option for other teams seeking guard depth.
For the Pacers, the move allows them to evaluate external options to strengthen their roster. Indiana’s other two-way players, Enrique Freeman and Quenton Jackson, remain with the organization.
The Mad Ants will wrap up their current road trip on Saturday before returning home to Indianapolis. Meanwhile, the Pacers continue their season with a healthier roster and additional flexibility to manage their developmental system.
