On Friday, the Indiana Pacers surprised many by waiving forward Cole Swider following their final preseason game. Swider had signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Pacers before training camp and appeared to be in contention for a roster spot, especially after the team released Kendall Brown. However, the Pacers opted to part ways with Swider altogether.
Just a day after being waived, Swider quickly secured a new opportunity with the Detroit Pistons, signing a two-way contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Alongside Swider, the Pistons also added guard Alondes Williams to a two-way deal, joining Daniss Jenkins as the team’s recipients of such contracts.
Transitioning from a non-guaranteed contract in Indiana to a two-way deal in Detroit might work out better for Swider. While playing time on the Pistons’ NBA roster may be limited, he will have the chance to showcase his skills in the G League rather than receive sporadic minutes in Indiana.
Swider has prior experience in the G League, where he averaged 19.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over two seasons with the South Bay Lakers and Sioux Falls Skyforce. He demonstrated his shooting ability, hitting 51.1% from the field and an impressive 46.1% from three-point range. If he can translate this performance to the NBA, he could become a valuable offensive asset.
Joining the Pistons, who struggled with three-point shooting last season (34.8%, the fifth-worst in the league), gives Swider a potential role, especially with new additions like Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley.
As for the Pacers, it will be intriguing to see how they utilize their open roster spot now that Swider is gone. They may keep it vacant for now, especially with their regular season opener against the Pistons approaching. Alternatively, they could consider signing rookie Enrique Freeman, who impressed during the Summer League and preseason and has become a fan favorite. While it seems unlikely they’ll convert his contract to a standard deal right away, he remains a player to watch as the situation unfolds.
