The Indiana Pacers advanced to last season’s NBA Eastern Conference Finals because of their roster depth, receiving impact play from reserves including TJ McConnell.
McConnell, 32, was rewarded for his performance with a four-year, $45 million contract extension, via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The 10-year veteran had one season remaining on his current deal, but is now signed through the 2028-29 campaign.
Last season, McConnell averaged a career-high 10.2 points per game with 5.5 assists while shooting 41% on 3-pointers. He stepped up that production during the postseason to 11.8 points and played crucial man-to-man defense against New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as the Pacers tried to lessen the load on Tyrese Haliburton.
McConnell is entering his 10th NBA season, the last five with the Pacers. He played his first four years in the league with the Philadelphia 76ers as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona. For his career, McConnell averaged 7.5 points and 5.1 assists per game and a 35% 3-point shooting percentage.
Securing McConnell to a long-term deal is the latest move by the Pacers to keep a strong core together. During that offseason, Indiana also re-signed Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, extending Andrew Nembhard, who also emerged as a crucial backcourt player for the Pacers’ postseason run.
Indiana finished sixth in the East, tied with the Orlando Magic and Sixers with a 47-35 record, and advanced to the final of the in-season tournament. The Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and Knicks in the finals before being swept by the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics.
