Indiana Pacers season review: Edmond Sumner earned minutes

How should the Indiana Pacers grade Edmond Sumner’s season?

With so many guys in and out of the starting lineup, the Pacers were able to give minutes to Edmond Sumner and throw him into the starting five when things got tough. He stepped up to the challenge and set career numbers across the board while also showing that he was capable of running with the top dogs.

Indiana had a bad season, that much is true. But that does not mean individual players did not have success on their own terms. Edmond Sumner paved the way for a guy like Oshae Brissett to get called up to the NBA roster and make an immediate impact.

For years, Sumner sat at the end of the bench just waiting for his moment. He had his moments over those first three seasons and there were plenty of fans that saw something special in the athletic guard. Finally, last season, Sumner was free to make his mark on this roster and he took full advantage.

His high level of play led to a more confident shooting stroke that made him a lethal weapon from time to time. As he prepares for his fifth season in the NBA, Sumner has shown that he has what it takes to compete in the NBA and tally a lot of minutes.

Final grade: A-

The numbers do not suggest this high of a grade, I get that. But Edmond Sumner always had the tools to be a rotational player and he finally put it all together last season. Injuries may always be a concern for him but when he is on the floor, his passion and athleticism cannot be understated. Growth has been huge for him so far and if it continues, Sumner will be a very good player in this league.