Indiana Pacers: 5 goals for T.J. Leaf's rookie season

Indiana Pacers: 5 goals for T.J. Leaf’s rookie season

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: T.J. Leaf walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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ORLANDO, FL – JULY 4: Ben Moore #20 and T.J. Leaf #22 of the Indiana Pacers look on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2017 Orlando Summer League on July 4, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Find a niche

As it stands now, it appears that holdover Thaddeus Young and newly-acquired Domantas Sabonis will battle it out for the starting power forward spot in 2017-18.

This places T.J. Leaf in a situation where playing time will be hard to come by as a rookie. Leaf will have to earn minutes, but he has a chance to do so next season.

The Pacers want to develop their young prospects, so Leaf will receive some opportunities to show what he can do. If the team drops out of the playoff race at some point, Indiana may extend Leaf’s playing time even further.

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In addition to simply getting on the floor, Leaf will need to use that time to begin finding out what kind of player he can be and how he fits into what the Pacers are doing.

Leaf has a varied offensive skill-set, so he has potential to contribute in any number of ways on that end of the court. He is a very good shooter, but it will be interesting to see if he can find a way to unleash his driving and post-up abilities as well.

T.J. Leaf’s eventual role will likely be much different than the one he takes on during his first year, but he has to begin somewhere. Finding a specific niche as a rookie will be a good first step in his development as an NBA player.

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