Pacers sign Amida Brimah to two-way contract, release Brian Bowen II

The Pacers made a move on the fringe of their roster Friday, releasing Brian Bowen II and signing Amida Brimah to take Bowen’s spot with a two-way contract.

However, the move raises questions about the status of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner for the reminder of the season since Brimah is a center which could thrust him into a role in the playing rotation out of necessity, if the Pacers expect to remain short-handed in the front court for the final few weeks of the season.

Goga Bitadze remains questionable with a sprained ankle, so in the here and now, the Pacers have JaKarr Sampson as their biggest big along with forward Oshae Brissett who started at center against OKC.

Brimah played about 23 minutes per game for 10 games with the Mad Ants in the abbreviated G-League season. He averaged 8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in those minutes and would be a role-playing big if given minutes with the Pacers.

Brimah would have a general idea of what the Pacers are doing thanks to his time with the Mad Ants and Nate Bjorkgren mentioned on Friday that he would expect Brimah to keep it simple and just give great effort running the floor, protecting the rim and setting good screens. Brimah is listed at 6’10 and during has been measured with a 7’6 wingspan.

The Pacers have back-to-back games this weekend with Detroit at home on Saturday and then a roadie in Orlando on Sunday. With the crowded injury report the Pacers playing rotation is day-to-day as far as who will be available.