Pacers: 3 takeaways from summer league 2022

The Indiana Pacers have completed their five summer league games, thus completing their season. Here are three takeaways from the team’s play in those five games.

Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin, and a handful of other players stood out and will likely be key players in the Pacers rotation next season.

Are the Indiana Pacers the best team in the summer league? Not without Chris Duarte.

Chris Duarte is heading into his second NBA season, and his experience to this point was in full display during his appearance in this year’s summer league. Duarte looked like the best player on the floor on both sides of the ball – the Pacers won the game comfortably.

It felt like the Pacers were operating at a higher level with Duarte on the floor. Quite literally, Chris Duarte lobbed rookie Bennedict Mathurin a beautiful alley-oop of the backboard, which Mathurin threw into the basket with ease.

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Duarte would not play in the team’s second game against the Charlotte Hornets, and there was a noticeable difference – it felt like the Pacers were missing a piece of the puzzle. He scored 16 points (3/7) and made nine of nine free throw attempts while dishing out four assists in 25 minutes.

Duarte is someone I am most excited to see expand his game going into next season. He battled a toe injury for the latter half of the 2021-22 season so getting him regular time with this new team will be a fascinating part of this upcoming year. His shot-making abilities are off the charts, and he makes his presence felt on both sides of the ball.

Bennedict Mathurin is poised and makes tough finishes at the rim

Bennedict Mathurin would play in just three of the five summer league games for the Indiana Pacers. He finished strong against the Detroit Pistons and in my opinion, is where he really separated himself from the pack.

In 18 minutes of play, he scored 20 points on five of nine shooting while hitting nine of his 10 free throws. He also had five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in that time. The sixth overall pick was a +23 and had no turnovers.

Mathurin showcased his scoring abilities in multiple ways in the three games he played. From catch and shoot threes, pull up jumpers in the mid-range/at the arc, and attacking the rim. He got more comfortable as the games progressed. By the time the Pacers played their third game, there was no question that Mathurin was too good for summer league.

Mathurin will be a starter this season for the Pacers and his first game alongside Tyrese Haliburton will be highly anticipated. A young group will be rolled out this year for Indiana along with two veteran starters in Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.

Indiana will have a choice to make in placing either Duarte or Hield on the bench if Mathurin is to start for this team, which he will be. The starters as I foresee it this season are Haliburton, Mathurin, Duarte, Jalen Smith, and Myles Turner if no trades are made.

Andrew Nembhard can be a great facilitator for the Pacers

Nembhard made an appearance in each of the team’s five summer league games. Throughout summer league, he wasn’t a flashy dunker or killer crossover type of player, but rather a slow tempo style in which he controls the offense.

In his final game against the Washington Wizards, he scored seven points, nine assists, and six rebounds. There were some solid no-look passes, a few that threaded the needle, and of course, some lobs.

There isn’t much concern from me that his scoring wasn’t there because that isn’t his style of play and won’t be something he will be tasked with instantly with the Pacers. Nembhard showcased his range with a deep three against the Hornets and he is a passing guard, which is his strength.

What will Nembhard’s role be this upcoming season?

With T.J. McConnell remaining the likely backup point guard, it seems Nembhard fits that third-string role at the moment. Last year, the Pacers struggled with depth at the point. McConnell was injured along with Brogdon, so the team had to turn to Brad Wannamaker and eventually Keifer Sykes.

It was clear the team didn’t have the depth for that position until Lance Stephenson signed with the team for the rest of the season. Now, the Pacers have invested in depth at the position and have a guy that can grow and learn under a veteran like McConnell. It is unclear if the team will bring back Lance Stephenson at this point, as he is now a free agent waiting to be signed.