The season hasn’t even started yet and Pacers management has already broken its first promise.
Unfortunately, in order to trim the roster to the league requirement of 15 players, the Pacers released promising 2nd round pick, power forward Magnum Rolle.
The Pacers were unbelievably high on this kid, hyping him up from the time he was selected (remember, the Pacers traded for him on draft night) and all throughout the Summer League and training camp. They insisted that the young man was going to be a big part of the Pacers’ future.
Well, unable to package Dahntay Jones and Solomon Jones in a two-for-one trade, the Pacers said they had no choice but to cut Rolle, who was used sparingly anyone during the preseason.
As much as I dislike the decision, if we accept that a trade was not possible, then this was the most logical move by the Pacers. Lance Stephenson, who is still in legal trouble and apparently cannot guard anyone, has a guaranteed contract. Rolle did not.
Solomon Jones could have been bought out for the $1.5m owed to him this year, but that’s not a smart decision for a franchise struggling financially and thin on frontcourt experience.
That said, most people still think they should have cut Solomon and kept Magnum, who at least had some potential to be good. Jones was horrible last season and even got suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. Wouldn’t it be better to allow Rolle to develop on a non-contending team than to keep a guy who already screwed up his chance?
It’s a shame, but it had to be done. I wish Rolle all the best, wherever he may end up. I just hope it doesn’t come back to haunt the Pacers.
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