Pacers will exercise team option for Edmond Sumner

This is a formality after Sumner outperformed his contract last season and is one of the most athletic players on the team. And he's entering his prime.

Sumner is entering the final year of a three-year contract. (Photo: PS&E)

The Pacers will exercise the team option on Edmond Sumner’s contract for the 2021-22 season, team president Kevin Pritchard told Fieldhouse Files.

“We will be keeping Edmond,” he said.

This was an easy call given his salary ($2.3 million) and production. Last season, Sumner’s fourth season with the Pacers, he averaged 7.5 points playing 16 minutes per game. He started in 24 of 53 games and outperformed his contract.

The Pacers had until July 31 to decide. He’s entering the final season of a three-year deal he signed in 2019.

Sumner, 25, was a second-round pick in 2017. The Pacers sent cash considerations to the Pelicans for the rights to the 52nd pick, which they then used to take the Xavier University product. He’s got length, athleticism and speed — exactly the traits the Pacers (and all teams, really) value.

It’s been a big month for him. Last week, Sumner got engaged to his girlfriend while in The Bahamas.

After adding first-round picks Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson in the draft and trading Aaron Holiday to the Wizards, the Pacers have 11 guaranteed contracts for next season. Sumner figures to be an energetic two-way player off the bench.

Pritchard said they have not made a decision on forward Kelan Martin, whose $1.7 million contract becomes guaranteed if not waived before Aug. 7.

That’s the smart play, too. Free agency starts at 6:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 2, but contracts cannot be finalized until Aug. 6. The Pacers maintain flexibility as they try to re-sign two of their own, Doug McDermott and T.J. McConnell, while also considering potential trade offers that come their way.

“We really like both guys and they had great years,” Pritchard said. “Our goal is to keep the team together.”