Magnum

Rolle

That gives the Pacers 16 signed players, meaning they’ll need to find a way to move or drop one before the start of the season.

Rolle was never considered a favorite to make the final roster. The team also waived Pape Sy and Brad Wanamaker.

They traded up to get him on draft night but had to let someone go. His $510,000 salary would have become guaranteed had they not released him.

“He will be invited to training camp,” said Benner. “I anticipate he will be signed before camp. We like how he played in the rookie camp and also what he showed in the Summer League. He is here in Indianapolis, working out on his own.” The Pacers traded to acquire Rolle on draft day and it would be shocking if he wasn’t retained.

“He’s so athletic,” coach Jim O’Brien said. “He is extremely quick to the offensive glass. Because offensively he’s always a threat from 17 feet away, a lot of the offensive rebounds he gets are away from the basket. It’s hard to put a body on somebody that quick.” He shouldn’t have fantasy value, but is a nice sleeper in dynasty leagues that only have a rookie draft.

He played at both LSU and Louisiana Tech, but is probably not strong enough to play in the NBA right now. Then again, the Pacers are hapless, and it would not be all that surprising to see Rolle could emerge as a solid role player for them next year.

This guy was simply a role player at Florida State and didn’t appear to be on anyone’s radar. We’re not sure why the Thunder wanted him, but the fact the Pacers got Magnum Rolle for him probably takes Larry Bird off the hook - somewhat.

Mayberry sums up Rolle’s game by saying that “Rolle reminds me of a smarter, more interested, less athletic Tyrus Thomas.” Summer League performances can obviously be deceptive, but Rolle is at least someone to watch to see how the Pacers’ frontcourt shakes out in training camp.

“He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here,” team president Larry Bird said. “It’s a numbers game. We’ll see what happens the next couple months ... He’s very active, shoots the ball from 15, 17 feet as well as anyone on our team.” Indy is trying to dump T.J. Ford’s contract, which could eventually be Rolle’s ticket to ride.

Teams are making their final picks to have a worst case scenario playoff roster. Rolle is nothing more than an injury emergency add.