DONE: Pacers approved another deal
The Indiana Pacers have already finalized their roster and used all three of their two-way contract slots this offseason. Despite this, the team continues to make moves just over a month before training camp.
In a recent interview with Tony East from the Locked On Pacers podcast, guard Kyle Mangas shared that he is rejoining the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 contract. The 25-year-old expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the team.
“I’ll be back with the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 [contract],” Mangas said during the podcast. “I’m going to be signing that here soon. And really looking forward to coming back.”
Mangas, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft after a standout four-year career at Indiana Wesleyan University, began his professional career with USK Praha in the Czech National Basketball League and Šiauliai-7bet in the Lithuanian Basketball League.
Last year, Mangas briefly signed with the Pacers in October before being waived the next day. He then joined the Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, where he played 34 games, starting in 28. Over the season, he averaged 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.
More recently, Mangas played one game for the Los Angeles Lakers during this year’s Summer League, scoring six points on 2-for-5 shooting and grabbing three rebounds in 12 minutes.
Kyle Mangas will likely spend next year in the G League
Since Mangas is reportedly joining the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 contract, he will primarily serve as an additional player for training camp. If the team decides not to keep him on the main roster—which is a likely scenario—they have the option to assign him to the G League.
Mangas had a strong performance in the G League last season, displaying his potential. The Pacers will likely evaluate his development throughout the year to see if he can make progress in his second professional season. While a spot on the main roster may be unlikely at this point, Mangas could still secure a position with his hometown team in the future.