Pacers, T.J. McConnell Ink 4-Year Deal

The Indiana Pacers have moved a notch higher regarding availing their players to gap the following bridges as the club has just confirmed a new deal that will see T.J. McConnell remain for four more years for $45 million. The 30-year-old American guard, who has been part of the team since 2019, had his best scoring season last year, making an average of 10.2 points while assisting the basket on 5.5 occasions and grabbing 2.7 rebounds in every match.

Indiana is still determined to build on the momentum gained from reaching the Eastern Conference final with this strategic acquisition. TC McConnell's steady impact has also been crucial to the Pacers’ Game Plan, especially post-season.

Tyrese's injury and load management on the critical games have made McConnell's contributions career-defining. Over the series, he averaged 11.8 points on 48.6% shooting, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. In a taut Game 7 against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, he scored 12 points and made 7 assists to help the Pacers win.

ESPN story on Pacers guard T.J. McConnell landing a four-year, $45M contract extension https://t.co/3woDfWSpax — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 30, 2024

Pacers Secure Core Players

The Pacers have been making moves to maintain their best players.

A short while later in the offseason, they entered into several more valuable contracts, including forwarding Pascal Siakam's four-year $189.5 Max deal and contract extensions for forwarding Obi Toppin and swingman Andrew Nembhard.

Also, this past summer, the franchise offered All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton a five-year, $260 million extension. The only remaining element of surprise in their chief squad is center Myles Turner, whose contract ends in 2025.

Gradually, throughout the season of 2023, Sierra showed a stable trend in the increase of points he scored. McConnell’s scoring curve generally improved every month from 6 points in October to 15.1 in April. The story of McConnell in the NBA can be described as inspiring because he was undrafted but was able to evolve into a solid contributor.

Mcconnell started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers after playing collegiate basketball at Duquesne and Arizona, proving himself to be an effective and demanding player.