Pacers sign Edmond Sumner to two-way deal

The Pacers signed second-round pick, Edmond Sumner on Wednesday, locking up the 52nd overall pick from Xavier, acquired after paying the New Orleans Pelicans for rights to the pick.

According to Nate Taylor, the Pacers utilized a new wrinkle in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement to sign Sumner to a two-way contract which gives the Pacers exclusive rights to Sumner while he also plays for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G-League.

Sumner is still recovering from knee and shoulder surgery which will slow his development on the court where he is an intriguing prospect. With point guard quickness to get to the hoop, Sumner is 6’5 with a wingspan of 6’9 but in desperate need of a reliable perimeter shot. At Xavier, he shot around 28 percent from the college three-point line.

The two-way G-League deal pays Sumner $75,000 in his first season while offering him a pro rated portion of the NBA rookie minimum salary ($815, 615) for any time spent with the Pacers up to 45 days. The salary also does not count against the team’s salary cap.