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Indiana Pacers: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Adrian Lawhorn

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 07: President of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard and Head Coach, Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers introduce Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Darren Collison during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on July 7, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 07: President of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard and Head Coach, Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers introduce Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Darren Collison during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on July 7, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images
Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images /

Edmond Sumner, PG/SG

Acquired: Via trade (New Orleans Pelicans)

The Pacers made another far-sighted investment in their future when they decided to send cash to the Pelicans in exchange for the player New Orleans had selected with the No. 52 overall pick, combo guard Edmond Sumner.

Sumner has an alarming history of injuries, the latest being an ACL tear that he is still in the process of rehabbing. However, he is thought to have lottery-level talent, thus Indiana’s move to purchase his draft rights.

Sumner possesses impressive physical tools, standing 6’5″ with a 6’9″ wingspan. He is an elite athlete who has quickness, speed and the ability to play above the rim.

Edmond Sumner’s offensive strength is taking the ball to the basket. He is also a very good one-on-one defensive player when he is focused (which does not happen on every possession).

Despite his high talent level, Sumner does have several identifiable weaknesses as a player — perhaps the most glaring is his poor outside shooting (he lacks good mechanics at this point in his development).

Sumner’s “handle” needs work, and that combined with his questionable decision-making have led to a problem with turnovers during his two-year college career at Xavier.

Edmond Sumner is not a prospect who will pay dividends right away, but the retooling Pacers have time to wait on him. He has flaws, but he was a very cheap/low-risk acquisition who was a great value pick late in the second round of the draft.

Grade: B+

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