Indiana Pacers: 3 expectations after Victor Oladipo’s injury

2. Who will be called upon to step up in Oladipo’s absence?

Last season, the Pacers didn’t fare too well when Oladipo was out of the lineup. In the seven games he sat out, Indiana did not win a single game.

Earlier this season, when Oladipo sustained a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for 11 games, the Pacers produced a 7-4 mark during that stretch.

With its top scorer and one of the team’s best play-makers out for the rest of the season, which players will be called upon to step up in Oladipo’s absence for the rest of the season?

One player whose role will increase is Tyreke Evans. In 32 appearances off the bench, the ninth-year shooting guard compiled averages of 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. The good news is he posted similar numbers when he was inserted into the starting lineup.

In those 11 games, Evans averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals per contest.

Head coach Nate McMillan has also mentioned that first-round pick Aaron Holiday will see more playing time and that the team intends to call up Edmond Sumner — who was a second-round pick in 2017 — from the G-League to the active roster.

Another option may come by way of a trade. And while the Pacers have not decided whether or not they’re going to make a move before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, they could make a play for Mike Conley — who is reportedly being shopped by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Considering that Conley is a local product, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see these two teams engage in trade talks at some point.