The Pacers and T.J. McConnell have agreed on a new contract.
Contract Details:
McConnell will stay with the Pacers for four more years, earning $45 million, according to agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman who spoke with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. This new deal starts in the 2025-26 season after his current contract ends. By then, he will have earned $54 million over five years, lasting until the 2028-29 season.
McConnell’s Journey:
McConnell joined the Pacers in 2019 after starting his NBA career in Philadelphia. Last season began with him out of Indiana’s main rotation but he quickly proved himself as a valuable reserve player.
Performance Stats:
In 71 games last season, McConnell averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game in just over 18 minutes per game. His shooting percentages were impressive at .556/.409/.790. He even received votes for Sixth Man of the Year and played an important role off the bench during the playoffs with averages of 11.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game.
Future Prospects:
With Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard set as key players for Indiana’s future backcourt, it was uncertain if McConnell would get an extension as he approaches his mid-30s amidst rising team costs. However, this new contract shows that the front office still believes strongly in his contributions.
Fans think this is a great move by the team!
When discussing McConnellโs potential extension earlier this year, Mike Conleyโs recent two-year deal worth $20.75 million was considered a comparison point for McConnellโs value.
Unexpected Commitment:
Given that McConnell is younger than Conley by four-and-a-half years, it’s surprising to see such a long-term commitment to him as a bench player at this stage in his career. Full details are not yet available but it’s possible some of his salary towards the end might be non-guaranteed.
Pacer Signings:
This summer has been busy for Indiana with several significant signings: Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin both secured lucrative four-year contracts as free agents while Nembhard signed a three-year extension ensuring he’ll be around for another four seasons.
Now that McConnell is locked up too, only one key player from Indianaโs postseason rotation remains without a long-term deal โ Myles Turner who becomes eligible for an extension come January
