Indiana Pacers: Is pursuing a reunion with Edmond Sumner worth it?

The Indiana Pacers’ injury-marred 2021-22 season was, in keeping with the near-annual Indy tradition, almost a preset condition. One of the earliest signs that the Blue and Gold would once again limp for the year was the brutal injury to Edmond Sumner, who tore his Achilles before the season even started, preemptively snapping what could have been a career-year for the combo guard.

Sustaining the injury in preseason workouts, Sumner was promptly traded to the Brooklyn Nets (which then waived him) as a salary-saving move which allowed the Pacers to sign Brad Wanamaker, which certainly did not end well for either party.

Sumner remained in Indy to rehab, even working out with the Pacers despite being technically a free agent. Seven months later, the 26-year-old has made big strides in his recovery, looking all springy and ready to step foot in the hardwood once more.

With the Indiana Pacers emphasizing youth moving forward, should they gamble on Edmond Sumner?

Purposive and functional reunions in the NBA are quite the rarity. Players usually return to their former clubs at the tail end of their careers as a giant token of sentimentality, save for some aberrations.

Edmond Sumner, despite never having cemented a clear role with the Indiana Pacers since donning the blue and gold in 2018, had everything going for him momentum-wise before the season, being one of the few players who thrived under maligned ex-coach Nate Bjorkgren.

However, objectively speaking, reuniting with Sumner, which is already a risky proposition, projects to be a luxury addition. The Pacers have great depth in the backcourt positions, and his old role has now been assumed by Duane Washington Jr., who was recently inked by Indiana to an extension.

As currently constructed, Indiana needs help in bolstering their frontcourt, which has been a point of compromise for the Pacers this season, resulting in their frail defense. Barring a trade involving one of the team’s key guards like Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield (stay away, Lakers), adding another backcourt player makes marginal sense. Even from the lens of a rebuild, Sumner isn’t exactly a good fit for the Pacers’ timeline.

On the flip side, should the Pacers go all-out on a youth movement and make concessions on their veteran assets like Brogdon, Hield and TJ McConnell, then Sumner could be a very fair candidate for a roster spot, given his familiarity with the franchise, and also his play style. His prowess in up tempo configurations bodes well with Rick Carlisle’s offense, and his defense holds it own against speedy guards, though that carries with it an assumption that he hasn’t lost much of his explosiveness and athleticism.

Right now, the chances of Edmond Sumner playing next season for the Indiana Pacers appear slim, but with the team possible on the verge of making major moves in a crucial offseason amid a youth movement and a weak free agency class, better hold onto that small flame. He deserves it.