Kam Jones' absence from Indiana Pacers' Summer League team likely pure technicality

Technically, they didn’t actually draft Jones. The 38th pick belongs to the San Antonio Spurs, who agreed to trade it to Indiana on draft night. Since free-agent signings and trades can’t become official until July 6, he isn’t yet part of the team. 

It’s easy to understand any initial concern over his omission. Trading for No. 38 (they sent the Spurs a future second-round pick) gave them their best position in this year’s draft. After investing in the pick, it would be disconcerting to see him left off the summer team. 

The exclusion seems to be just a formality, pending the official commencement of free agency on July 6. After averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists as a senior, Jones has a wide-open opportunity in Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating Achilles injury in Game 7 of the Finals leaves the Pacers without their starting point guard.

So far this offseason, they have taken a quiet approach. This suggests they will look to run the point through shooting guard Andrew Nembhard (5.0 APG last year), backup TJ McConnell (4.4 APG) and youngsters like Jones who show enough to merit a spot on the depth chart.

Assuming the roster is updated to include him, Jones will join No. 54 pick Taelon Peter in Summer League ball, alongside Pacers reserves Quenton Jackson, Johnny Furphy and others. Indiana has games scheduled for July 10 versus the Cavaliers, July 12 versus the Thunder, July 14 against the Bulls and July 17 against the Knicks.