The Indiana Pacers traded Isaiah Jackson to the Los Angeles Clippers, and new big man Ivica Zubac is not expected to make his debut for the team for a while. However, Micah Potter has re-emerged as a real contributor in Indiana, and he is proving that he can play a role moving forward and give the team some stability at center.
In three games since the trade deadline, the Ohio native has averaged 12.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field and 41.7% from deep. This includes a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Potter is never going to be a full-time starter in Indiana, and he may never even be the full-time primary backup once Zubac returns to action. But at the very least, he's proving once again that he brings a lot to the table, and he could be a fantastic depth piece for once the Pacers are ready to contend for a title once again.
Micah Potter is proving himself with the Pacers
Potter made his Pacers debut the day after Christmas, and it's been a spotty stint for him so far.
He showed out in a big way at the beginning of the calendar year, averaging 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 56.7% from the field and 52.2% from deep in his first five games in January. However, he came back down to earth in a major way, averaging 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 28.9% shooting from the field (including 20% from beyond the arc) in his following eight games.
Regardless, Potter seems to be on the rise once again, and the Pacers should be excited about that. There is a lot to like about his game. He is a solid stretch big and provides some value as a rebounder. In a third-string (and spot backup role), they probably wouldn't want anybody else over him, especially given that he's on a cheap contract.
There is still a lot of basketball left on the schedule, and it remains to be seen exactly what Potter's role will look like once Zubac makes his Pacers debut. But at the very least, he has already proven to the team that he possesses some real value and could be worthy of a roster spot past this season.