BREAKING: Indiana Pacers Sign Fan-Favorite Olympian to Summer League Roster After Losing Tyrese Haliburton to Injury and Myles Turner to Free Agency
In a turn of events that few could have predicted just weeks ago, the Indiana Pacers have made a bold and emotional move to rejuvenate their shaken roster. With franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to a severe ankle injury and long-time defensive anchor Myles Turner officially departing in free agency, the Pacers announced today that they have signed fan-favorite Olympian and former NCAA standout Jordan Bohannon to their 2025 NBA Summer League roster.
This surprise signing has not only given fans a flicker of hope amidst recent disappointments but has also sparked conversation across the basketball community. The move symbolizes resilience and a renewed spirit of identity for a franchise trying to recalibrate after a tumultuous offseason.
The past month has been one of seismic shifts for Indiana.
On June 29, the Pacers announced that Tyrese Haliburton suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain during a Team USA practice session in Las Vegas, forcing him to withdraw from Olympic play and likely miss the start of the 2025–26 NBA season. Haliburton’s leadership, vision, and commitment had made him the emotional core of the Pacers since arriving in the Domantas Sabonis trade. His absence creates a glaring void at point guard and in the team’s offensive rhythm.
As if that wasn’t enough, just days later on July 1, Myles Turner—one of the last remaining links to Indiana’s pre-Haliburton era—opted to sign a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. The move shocked many in the organization and left a major hole in Indiana’s frontcourt, both on the court and in the locker room.
Suddenly, a team that had been on the rise after making the playoffs last season found itself scrambling to maintain momentum.
Enter the Olympian: Jordan Bohannon’s Unexpected Return
In a press release issued early Thursday morning, the Pacers confirmed they had signed Jordan Bohannon, a former Iowa Hawkeyes star and current Team USA 3×3 Olympic player, to their Summer League roster.
While Bohannon isn’t a household name in NBA circles, he is a legend in college basketball, particularly in Big Ten country. Known for his elite three-point shooting, clutch gene, and fiery competitiveness, the 27-year-old guard had recently found global success as a member of Team USA’s 3×3 basketball squad—helping the country clinch gold at the FIBA World Cup and earning a last-minute call-up to represent the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
His Olympic performance was electric. Over six games, Bohannon averaged 10.3 points and hit an astonishing 51% from beyond the arc in a format that values precision and intensity. His fearless demeanor and showman-like flair resonated with fans both in the U.S. and abroad.
Now, with the Summer League underway and Indiana desperate for both guard depth and locker room leadership, Bohannon is being offered a chance to prove that his skills can translate to the NBA’s five-on-five game.
Why Bohannon? Why Now?
The Pacers’ front office had been under immense pressure since Haliburton’s injury. Without a clear-cut backup who could carry the load in Las Vegas and potentially transition into a regular season role, General Manager Chad Buchanan and Head Coach Mike Brown began scanning both the G League and international markets for a spark.
That search led them to Bohannon, whose Olympic buzz and connection with Midwest basketball roots made him an attractive, low-risk, high-character signing.
“We needed someone with poise, experience under pressure, and a hunger to prove themselves,” said Coach Brown during a press conference. “Jordan Bohannon fits all three. He’s a gym rat, he’s fearless, and he’s not afraid of the moment. That’s what we need right now.”
For Bohannon, the opportunity is nothing short of a dream.
“I’ve waited for this moment my whole life,” he said Thursday. “To wear an NBA jersey, especially for a franchise like Indiana with such a passionate fanbase, it’s humbling. I know I’m not Tyrese, and I can’t replace Myles, but I’ll bring everything I have to help this team win and inspire people in the process.
Fan Reaction: Hope Amid Heartache
The Pacers fanbase—still raw from recent losses—responded to the Bohannon signing with a mix of surprise and excitement. Social media was flooded with messages celebrating the Olympian’s addition, with many pointing to his heroic moments in college and 3×3 basketball as signs of his clutch potential.
“Jordan Bohannon to the Pacers Summer League? That’s EXACTLY the heart this team needs right now,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Another posted: “He might not have Haliburton’s playmaking or Turner’s blocks, but JB’s got that dawg in him. This could be the Cinderella signing of the offseason.
What This Means Moving Forward
While Bohannon’s signing is no guarantee of long-term NBA success, it represents an important cultural shift. The Pacers are investing in effort, grit, and players who can rally the locker room in times of adversity.
This year’s Summer League will serve as a crucial testing ground—not just for Bohannon, but for the entire organization. Can the Pacers develop a new leader in Haliburton’s temporary absence? Can they establish a new defensive identity without Turner? Can young prospects like Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker step up and carry the torch?
If Jordan Bohannon’s journey has taught us anything, it’s that underdogs—when given the right opportunity—can rise and lead.
The Road Ahead: Summer League and Beyond
The Pacers will tip off their Summer League campaign this weekend in Las Vegas, where all eyes will be on Bohannon and the rest of the newly formed squad. With an open competition for roster spots and rotation roles, Bohannon has a golden chance to showcase his skills on the NBA stage.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s front office continues to explore the free agent market for reinforcements, including rumored interest in several veteran big men and backcourt facilitators to balance out the youth movement.
But for now, the team—and the city—has found a new symbol of hope in an unlikely hero.
As the banner at Gainbridge Fieldhouse read today during Bohannon’s introduction:
“When the stars fall, the fighters rise.”
Jordan Bohannon, the Olympic sharpshooter and Iowa legend, is ready for his next battle. And the Pacers faithful are ready to rally once again.
Closing Thoughts
Losing Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner in the same offseason would be enough to crush the spirit of many franchises. But in Indiana, adversity often paves the way for inspiration.
Jordan Bohannon may not be the savior in the traditional sense, but in a Summer League that demands heart, hustle, and hunger, he just might be exactly what the Pacers need to rediscover their identity.
Whether or not this journey leads to a permanent NBA contract, one thing is certain: Indiana has found its next fighter.
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