INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday, Sept. 3 the team signed guard T.J. McConnell to a contract extension, which was first reported by ESPN on Aug. 30.
"It is safe to say that every team in the NBA would like a player that possesses the same intensity, competitive spirit, and passion for the game and his teammates as T.J. McConnell,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. “T.J. has become a steadying veteran presence for our team both on and off the court, and his value to our franchise cannot be overstated. He was an integral part of our success last year and we’re happy that he will continue to be a part of what we’re building here.”
The Pacers did not confirm the details of the deal, which is reportedly worth $45 million over four years.
McConnell is reportedly getting a four-year, $45 million extension. His total contract would add up to about $54 million over five years.
McConnell averaged around 10 points a game coming off of the bench during the regular season. That rose to almost 12 points a game during the playoffs, where he made clutch plays including a 20-point, 9-assist performance in game 6 against Milwaukee.
McConnell was part of a Pacers bench that ended the season as the highest scoring second unit in the NBA.
Keeping the team together
This offseason, the Pacers have worked to keep last year's team together. On July 24, they signed Andrew Nembhard to a three-year extension worth $59 million. On June 30, Obi Toppin was given a $60 million deal for four years. That came after Pascal Siakam's monster, $189 million dollar contract that should keep him in Indy for another four seasons.
The Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference finals, where they were swept by the champion Boston Celtics. But three of those games were decided by five points or less.
The Pacers are hoping the return of Bennedict Mathurin, who missed the second half of the season with an injured shoulder, will take them to the next level. His performance before his injury was impressive.
The Pacers are also hoping to repeat last year's success in the NBA's midseason tournament.
This year, their initial matchups for group play will be the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors. The first game is Nov. 15 against the Heat.