Edmond Sumner could blossom into vital rotation player for Pacers in the future

• Preseason opener: Pacers at Rockets, 8 p.m. Thursday, NBA

INDIANAPOLIS -- Edmond Sumner's presence tends to be forgotten. He's on a two-way contract and who knows what he'll turn into going into his second season with the Pacers. 

Left knee surgery ended his career at Xavier and he wasn't able to train this time a year ago, but after playing in his first summer league with the Pacers and getting through camp without incident there's an optimism about the 6-6 combo guard's future. 

Coach Nate McMillan saw a fire that has stuck with him since August. Sumner was partaking in player workouts at the team's facility. He didn't want to play on the stacked team with Thaddeus Young, a 12-year veteran who can frustrate the best offensive players.  

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"He never wanted to be on the same team with the better players," McMillan said. "He always wanted to go against those guys. I like that in him."

Despite his quiet demeanor, Sumner's on-court persona is the opposite. He only weighs about 176 pounds and seeks contact. He attacks the rim when there appears to be no space and slithers through to create it. 

"I’m just coming out here doing whatever the coaching staff wants me to do. I’m not really looking ahead," Sumner said of his prospects of playing his way onto the regular roster. "I have to defend, keep being a play-maker and stay in the lane which I’ve been doing great."

As a two-way player, Sumner can only spend 45 days with the Pacers, including practices, during the regular season. The rest of his time will be spent with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League. 

It could be converted into an NBA contract. Players with Sumner's size, athleticism and desire to work hard on defense are at  a premium as he's projected to defend three positions. 

McMillan insists on his guards fighting through screens first and not relying on switches to make it easy on themselves. Sumner can shrink himself to get through ball screens to recover to his man. There are plenty of players who are considered All-Star caliber who don't make that extra effort.

"He sees the floor. He can get to the basket. He’s really patient in the pick-and-rolls.  He does a good job of really getting us into our offense," McMillan said. "He can guard the one or the two. With his speed he has shown the ability to defend a wing which is surprising for a young guy that you can get through screens, get skinny, get over screens and defend guards. He’s a tough kid. He doesn’t say much. He’s quiet. He has a quiet confidence about himself."

Sumner finds himself marveling at new teammate Tyreke Evans, a combo guard who is physical yet subtle in how he's able to change speeds to maneuver his way to the rim. Evans will decelerate to lull the defense to sleep before accelerating for the blow by. 

"He plays with great pace," Sumner said. "I’ve been trying to steal the way he comes off screens. Tremendous pace coming off screens. He’s a scorer. He’s smart. He knows when to turn it on and turn it off. That’s what makes it hard to guard him."

With his health issues seemingly in the rear view, Sumner has a clear path to carving out a place in the league. 

If he does, the only question that'll remain is whether it will be with the Pacers, who purchased his draft position (52nd) from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017 for $1 million.

"He's gotten a lot better since last year. It's unfortunate he was struggling with injury," Victor Oladipo said. "He looks great this year. He's definitely improved. You can tell he's gotten better. It's awesome to see."

After this season, the roster is likely to see a complete overhaul with as many as 10 free agents, non-guarantees and team options. 

Sumner, who likely would've been a first-round pick if not for his knee injury, is a low risk who could reap high rewards.