Catching up with Indiana Pacers forward Jordan Nwora: On his offseason, team goals, and more
Jordan Nwora benefited tremendously from his trade to the Indiana Pacers in February. He went from watching from the bench in Milwaukee to playing 24.6 minutes a game in Indiana, and the guaranteed playing time changed the trajectory of his season.
With the Pacers, Nwora averaged 13.0 points per game and did it on impressive efficiency — he shot 47.6% from the field and 42.2% from deep. Indiana put him in a nearly-perfect role. At his best, he was setting records for points in a quarter. On top of all that, he upped his rebounds (4.7) and assists (2.1) per game numbers. He grew as a player.
Now, he's trying to take the next steps as a player. In a one-on-one conversation with AllPacers earlier this week, Nwora shared that he's getting his weight down in order to do more for the Pacers.
"Dropped some weight, continuing to still get in great shape, get ready for the season. Doing what the staff needs me to do," he said. The Pacers think that a timmer Nwora will be able to get, and stay, on the court more often. He has been working on his weight — he's around 215 pounds now — and skills in both Indianapolis and in his hometown of Buffalo, New York this summer.
Currently, other Pacers players are in Indianapolis as well. Nwora shared that he's been working recently with Jalen Smith, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Jackson, Jarace Walker, and a few others in the Circle City. Nwora feels more settled in Indiana's capital after the mid-season trade. Next year, at his reduced size, he will be able to fill more positions alongside those players.
"Whatever they need me to play, I'll play," he said. The 24-year old should be able to slot in at both the three and four, if needed, for Indiana next season.
That versatility will be more important given the summer Indiana had. On draft night, the Pacers brought in Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and Isaiah Wong. When free agency began, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, and Oscar Tshiebwe signed with the squad. Indiana added depth all over the court.
They will be better as a result, but those additions could lead to a smaller role for Nwora. Brown, Walker, and Toppin will seize minutes in the forward rotation. Chris Duarte and Oshae Brissett have relocated and are no longer with the blue and gold, but more frontcourt talent came in than departed. That will alter Nwora's role.
Any injury will open up minutes for the scoring forward, so he is still a nice piece for the Pacers to have. That's why being more versatile position-wise thanks to his reduced weight could be important. He can fill in and contribute in more ways.
"I think it's been good. I think it'll be good for our team," Nwora said of the team's additions. "I think this will be competitive... I think it will make everybody better."
Between the forward spots and reserve guard minutes, there will be plenty of competition in training camp for the blue and gold. Nwora will be looking to prove that he should be in the mix all season.
This year will be both Nwora's fourth in the league. He won a title in his first season with the Bucks, so he has been on a team that reached the NBA's peak.
Indiana won't be a championship contender this season, but they are hoping to end their streak of missing the playoffs. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton made that clear in May, and Nwora has similar expectations.
"I think for us, it's making the playoffs and just really taking that big step forward," he said of the team's goals. Indiana was in the play-in mix until the last 10 days of the campaign in 2022-23.
For the Louisville product, this is a big season. It's a contract year, and his first full year with Indiana. He didn't have a training camp with the franchise last year. It's a chance for him to prove that he should be a part of the young, growing Pacers long term. He got off to a great start last year, and the franchise will hope he can do it again.
"I'm just ready for the season," he said. He won't have to wait much longer.
- Indiana Pacers 2023-24 Schedule: Full dates, opponents announced. CLICK HERE.
- Myles Turner talks about the Pacers offseason, his growth, and more at his basketball camp. CLICK HERE.
- Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson discusses his 60-point game against the Pacers with Paul George on Podcast P. CLICK HERE.
- How Ben Sheppard can help the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
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