Pacers quietly make significant RayJ Dennis decision

On Sunday, the Indiana Pacers announced that they waived RayJ Dennis and signed Ethan Thompson to a 10-day contract.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise, mostly regarding Dennis.

The Illinois native had spent parts of the last two seasons with the Pacers' organization on a two-way contract, and he showed flashes at times. This was especially true this season, when he averaged 11 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in his first four games. They're not All-Star numbers, but given how badly the Pacers needed Dennis to step up following their injuries to their guards, this was an incredibly promising sign.

Unfortunately for Dennis, things only went downhill from there.

For the entire month of November, he averaged 2.2 points on 25.9% shooting from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc in nine games. Not only was he struggling during his minutes, but Dennis' minutes were rapidly dropping following the returns of Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. And this was before Quenton Jackson even returned from his injury.

There's a lot to like about Dennis. He plays with heart and energy and is a solid playmaker. Furthermore, he is a capable defender. He's not a guy you would trust to stop Stephen Curry, but he can apply pressure and is very active defensively.

It remains to be seen what is next in store for the 24-year-old. He could return to the organization and just play for the team's G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, or he could be in line for a complete change of scenery and sign elsewhere.

Regardless, Dennis was a decent player for the Pacers who showed glimpses of potential at different times. He was never likely to take on a major role in a backcourt that also features Tyrese Haliburton (after this season, at least), Nembhard, and McConnell, but that doesn't mean he wasn't worthy of his opportunities.

So what does this mean for the Pacers moving forward?

With Dennis out of the picture, a lot of eyes may need to turn to Jackson, who is also on a two-way deal. Many have said that the Los Angeles native is too good to be on a two-way contract, and Dennis' departure should be an indication of how highly the Pacers view him.

Whether it happens this season or not remains to be seen, but Jackson could be in line for a standard contract at some point.

The season is still young, and the Pacers may have a lot of decisions to make soon. They already made one on Dennis, and Jackson could be next in line as he looks to solidify himself as a long-term contributor in Indiana.