NBA insider reveals the Pacers actually wanted Edmond Sumner back

The Indiana Pacers haven’t had a lot of on-court success in the last couple of years, but the franchise has been far from bereft of feel-good stories. One of those positive tidbits came in the form of Edmond Sumner who emerged as a meaningful, up-and-coming contributor for the team from 2019 to 2021.

However, in the middle of the 2020-21 season, easily his best year yet, the combo guard tore his Achilles, which also sidelined him for the entirety of last season and leaving him without a team after Indiana traded him to the Brooklyn in a salary dump and was subsequently waived.

Ironically though, a full year after his injury and now at 100 percent, Sumner finds himself with a cemented role in a surprisingly lethal Nets team. Some Pacers fans were certainly rooting for the front office to acquire him again through free agency. And while Brooklyn was ultimately his choice, it seems like Indiana had initial interest on a reunion.

The Indiana Pacers actually wanted Edmond Sumner back, according to an NBA insider

In an interview with HoopsHype, Sumner revealed that various teams showed interest in him during free agency, and before choosing the Nets, the Pacers were among those amenable to signing him.

Unfortunately, Indiana’s busy offseason meant that pursuing Sumner back was definitely not atop their priority list. Following a couple of workouts, the combo guard eventually made the call and went with Brooklyn which, according to him, was consistent in expressing their interest in his services.

Fast forward to the present, and the former Pacer has been thriving off the bench for the Nets. He even scored a season-high 21 points to lead an injury-riddled Brooklyn squad to a road upset in Indiana last month.

Many fans of the Blue and Gold would have liked to see Edmond Sumner make his comeback for the team after an upwards career trend, but considering how well he’s playing for his current club and how stacked the Indiana Pacers are in the backcourt, falling short on a potential reunion may actually be a blessing in disguise for both camps.