Evaluating DaVonte Lacy's shot to make the Pacers

DaVonte Lacy didn't hear his name called in the NBA Draft, but he will get at least a chance to impress teams with an invite to the NBA Orlando Summer League. Lacy signed to play for the Indiana Pacers Summer League team which should be a very good opportunity.

Although Lacy will play for the Pacers, the Summer League is really just a big tryout against high-level competition. There will be a mix of fringe NBA players, recent draft picks and even NBA players early in their careers. An impressive showing can lead to landing a spot on the offseason roster and an invitation to training camp. Lacy will be auditioning for every team, but the situation does matter. Playing time is important and it's easier to make the team you're playing for since they get a more complete look at the type of player you are.

For Lacy, Indiana appears to be a good landing spot. George Hill and C.J. Miles are both locked into contracts, but there is a void of signed guard depth behind them. Rodney Stuckey and Donald Sloan are both free agents. The Pacers drafted Oregon's Joseph Young in the second round, but he's the only other guard on the roster. Indiana is likely to sign a veteran or two, but at a minimum it would appear Lacy, Jon Octeus (another UDFA signing) and Young are battling for a roster spot and there could be as many as three guard spots up for grabs.

Lacy will likely need to show he can run the point to make a roster and the five Summer League games will be a chance to do that. Indiana hasn't finalized its Summer League roster yet, but Lacy won't be buried behind high draft picks for playing time. Making the NBA is an uphill battle as an undrafted free agent, but Lacy appears to be in a great situation to do so.

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