Juan

Vaulet

This move was likely made by the Pacers in order to clear salary cap space, as Sumner will miss the entire 2021-22 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the offseason. The Pacers are now nearly $2.8 million below the tax threshold with this move, while the Nets will take the $2.3 million cap hit. Also included in this deal are the draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet, who was selected by the Hornets with the 39th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

He is going to take some time off to rest his surgically repaired right ankle, so the Nets will probably be in favor of this move. The 20-year-old seems to have some durability issues and has already suffered fractures to both of his ankles which required surgeries, so we may not see him in the NBA for another season or two.

The draft-and-stash prospect just turned 20 in March, so the Nets will likely keep developing him overseas. Vaulet is currently resting his surgically repaired right ankle, so he won’t play for Argentina this summer.

He is dealing with “severe pain” near his left ankle, but there are conflicting reports on whether or not it’s an ankle or Achilles issue. The 20-year-old swingman has had some tough luck with injuries in the past and has already suffered fractures to both ankles which required surgeries, so hopefully this latest injury isn’t too serious. We should get more details this weekend.

Vaulet was diagnosed by Nets medical staff on Saturday and will meet with a specialist on Monday to determine a course of treatment. It’s a terrible turn of events for the 19-year-old rookie, who has struggled with right ankle injuries in the past, but the six-week timetable suggests that he’ll be ready to go at training camp.

Vaulet played for Bahia Basket of the Argentinian League last season, and he is the youngest international prospect in the draft at just 19 years old. The Hornets just traded for Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made a lot of improvement last season, so Vaulet likely won’t make an impact any time soon.

Charlotte took Vaulet at No. 39 overall, higher than most mock drafts predicted, and Brooklyn obviously sees potential in the 19-year-old. He has intriguing upside as a defender and playmaker, but his shot mechanics are a work in progress and he’ll need a few seasons to become a realistic fantasy option.

Vaulet’s initially was expected to be out a minimum of six weeks, so we’ll stick with that timeline for now. He’s very young at just 19-years-old, and is unlikely to be a relevant name in fantasy hoops for at least a few seasons.

Vaulet, barely 19, is the “best young player that Argentina has produced in a decade.” He could join the Nets as soon as next season, and the recovery time for his tibia injury is supposed to be “shorter than expected.”

This is Vaulet’s second ankle fracture in two years, but he has been assured he’ll be back to full strength in four months. The 19-year-old said he’s not ready for the NBA yet anyway as he needs to work on his shot and get more experience. While the Argentinian is someone to keep an eye on in dynasty fantasy leagues, owners in standard leagues can feel free to ignore him for now.