Josh McRoberts caught the ball in the post and took a quick look over his shoulder to survey the court. With a cutter in sight, the Carmel, Ind., native zipped a behind-the-back pass that led to a layup.

A play like that during the regular season would provide energy in Conseco Fieldhouse.

On this day, though, there’s only Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird, general manager David Morway and a handful of the team’s scouts watching the rookie/free agent practice.

McRoberts, a third-year forward, hopes to provide that type of energy off the bench for the Pacers in the future.

McRoberts, a restricted free agent, said he wants to re-sign with the Pacers. Bird said he feels the same way.

“I hope to be (back),” McRoberts said. “I don’t know anything. My family and my friends, they ask me my contract situation, I’ve got no idea. As long as I play hard and play well, there will be a spot for me. Obviously, I want to get multiple years.”

McRoberts, who was traded from Portland last summer, appeared in 33 games last season. Danny Granger, Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster received the bulk of the minutes at forward.

McRoberts, who averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds, played at least 20 minutes in his last 14 appearances.

“You can’t play everybody,” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said. “Those (players) were better than him. It’s that simple. He’s a second-year NBA guy with no experience.”

What intrigues the Pacers about McRoberts is his athleticism. Team officials envision him as a player who can give a jolt off the bench, similar to Denver’s high-flying Chris “Birdman” Andersen.

“I just take it for what it’s worth,” McRoberts said about the comparison. “People see it as a big white dude that’s athletic. . . . I take it as an opportunity to find any niche I can. If that’s going to keep me in the NBA longer, that’s fine. Birdman’s a good player.”

McRoberts has committed himself to the weight room. He said he has added “between 15-20 pounds” of muscle since the end of the season to help him play power forward.

He has also spent time working on his shot with former Pacer Billy Keller. McRoberts shot 42 percent and missed all 10 of his 3-point attempts last season.

O’Brien said he doesn’t mind McRoberts’ added bulk as long as it doesn’t slow him.

“If you’re going to utilize it effectively, I think it’s great, but can you sustain speed and quickness?” O’Brien said. “If it gets to the point where it hurts, it becomes pretty evident.”

McRoberts will have an opportunity to show his skills next week because O’Brien plans to give his core players — McRoberts, Roy Hibbert, Tyler Hansbrough, A.J. Price and Brandon Rush — significant playing time during the summer league in Orlando, Fla.

“I would like to see good decision making when he has the basketball,” O’Brien said. “. . . The ability to rebound the basketball. The ability to score when scoring is available to him. He has a great attitude, a wonderful work ethic and those things will pay off for him.”