The Indiana Pacers are set to begin their 2022 NBA Summer League schedule and will play at least four games in Las Vegas. It would not be surprising if their stay is extended as they are rolling out an impressive Summer League roster. Led by sixth overall pick Bennedict Mathurin, the team is loaded with young talent.
The franchise is still in the mix in multiple NBA rumors (Deandre Ayton?), so the roster may not fully be completed yet. While more notable moves may be on the horizon, the focus of Summer League will be the development of the young core. The franchise added a key building block last season by trading for Tyrese Haliburton and is still in search of the proper pieces to surround him with. There are several notable players on the Pacers who will be looking to make their presence felt.
Here are the five biggest names to watch and get excited about ahead of the Pacers' Summer League experience.
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Why Pacers fans should be hyped for 2022 NBA Las Vegas Summer League
5. Andrew Nembhard
One guy who was continually overlooked in the pre-draft process was Andrew Nembhard. The Gonzaga product may lack a defining NBA skill, but has an incredibly well-rounded game. At 6'5″ with a high basketball IQ, Nembhard has the look of a solid backup point guard. The 22-year-old averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals this past season. He also shot 38.3% on 3-point attempts.
Look for Nembhard to come in and run the offense for the Pacers. He is an NBA-ready player who the Pacers selected with the opening pick in the second round. He has the potential to be a positive floor general for the Indiana second unit and will have a chance to show this in Summer League.
4. Isaiah Jackson
He may not get as much buzz as some of the other prospects, but there is a lot to like with Isaiah Jackson. The Kentucky product was selected 22nd overall in last year's draft and traded to the Pacers. He only played limited minutes in his rookie season but showed some really nice flashes. Jackson averaged 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks during his 15 minutes per game.
Look for Jackson to set the tone for the Pacers on the defensive side of the ball. He is an elite-level shot blocker and NBA-caliber rim protector. If he can continue to develop on the offensive end of the floor and show some improved ability when switched out on the perimeter, there could be an expanded role for Jackson this year. Showing some positive flashes could also motivate the Pacers to be more willing to pull the trigger on a Myles Turner trade.
3. Kendall Brown
Once looked at as a potential lottery pick, Kendall Brown saw his draft stock slip leading up to the draft. The former 10th-ranked recruit coming out of high school was outplayed by former Baylor teammate Jeremy Sochan, who was drafted ninth overall by the San Antonio Spurs. While this was a disappointment for the 19-year-old to fall to the 48th pick, it could prove to be a steal for the Pacers. Brown is a freak athlete with impressive tools that he needs to continue to work to put together. He averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a steal in his lone season in college.
The jump shot seems to be the biggest question mark in the 6'8″ wing's game. While he shot 34.1% on 3-pointers, he attempted just 1.2 per game and looked reluctant to pull the trigger. Brown needs to speed up his spot speed and get more comfortable with his overall offense. Look for him to make his presence felt in transition and see how he stacks up against a higher level of talent.
2. Chris Duarte
The Pacers made news last season when they selected Chris Duarte with the 13th overall pick. While they gained criticism for how old the now-25-year-old was, that does not change the impact he was able to immediately make. In his rookie season with the team, Duarte averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 rebounds, and a steal. He also shot 36.9% on 3-pointers while attempting 4.6 per game. The Oregon product was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
It will be interesting to get a look at what layers Duarte has added to his game. While many people discount his potential due to his age, he still is a really intriguing talent. While his style of play makes him a clean fit as an NBA role player, he will have a greater responsibility with the Summer League team, though we will have to see just how much he plays in Vegas.
1. Bennedict Mathurin
Pacers fans should be thrilled that they managed to land Bennedict Mathurin with the sixth overall pick. The Arizona product has an NBA-ready game and will be an exciting talent to watch. Mathurin has the sixth-best odds for Rookie of the Year this season at +1500, via FanDuel. This could prove to be great value as the 6'6″ guard projects as a great fit next to Tyrese Haliburton. He will get his opportunity to score the ball at a high rate, which is what he does best.
The Rookie of the Year campaign will start in Summer League, where he will surely be looked at as one of the main pieces. The 20-year-old averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and a steal last season at Arizona. He teases three-level scoring ability and is effective as a movement shooter. Look for the Pacers to look to get him involved early and find his stride right out of the gate.
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There are a few other notable names on the Pacers' Summer League roster as well. Jermaine Samuels showed some real positive flashes during his time at Villanova, and the school has proven to be an NBA role player factory. He agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pacers, which is essentially a high-priced G League contract. This will give him an opportunity to prove himself and begin his pathway to the NBA. Duane Washington Jr, Fanbo Zang, and Nate Hinton are also intriguing names to watch. The Pacers have an impressive roster and are sure to put on a show in Las Vegas.
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