Guard T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers have agreed to a $45 million, four-year contract deal.
The agreement was verified by agents Andy Shiffman and Mark Bartelstein in an email sent on Friday to The Associated Press. McConnell will now be with the Pacers until the 2028–2029 NBA season. McConnell has already signed for $9.3 million.
After leading Indiana to the Eastern Conference final with an average of 10.2 points per game during the regular season and 11.8 points per game in the postseason, 32-year-old McConnell is coming off of a season in which he scored at a career-high level.
Despite playing in 71 games and starting just four, he finished sixth in the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award voting.
McConnell, a Western Pennsylvania native who attended Duquesne and Arizona for his collegiate career, has played nine NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Pacers since making his debut in October 2015.
After going undrafted in that year, he signed with the Sixers, and in 2019, as a free agent, he joined the Pacers.
What the Specifics of Pacers General’s Contract Extension Indicate.
The Indiana Pacers inked veteran point guard TJ McConnell to a four-year, $44.8 million contract deal last week in an underappreciated move.
More information about his contract surfaced on Tuesday, casting his renewal in a slightly different light. Insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype claims that McConnell’s third-year contract will only have a $5 million partial guarantee. In addition, the Pacers will have a fourth-season team option.
Last season, McConnell shot 40.9 percent from three point range and finished with averages of 10.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. After the All-Star Break, he was especially productive, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. He also shot 60.0 percent from outside the arc, scorching the nets. Being a sharp facilitator and a formidable defender, he’s one of the league’s top backups.
Indiana Pacers signed TJ McConnell to a 4-year, $44.8M extension, which includes a partial guarantee Year 3 and team option Year 4, league sources told @hoopshype Details below:
2025-26: $10.2M
2026-27: $11M
2027-28: $11.8M ($5M partial guarantee)
2028-29: $11.8M (Team option) pic.twitter.com/wwRo2ojmrg— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 3, 2024
His four-year agreement is an indication of the Pacers’ faith in him and their admiration for him, even though it has conditions. Furthermore, the timing might not have been better.
What the Details of TJ McConnell’s contract extension mean for the Pacers
In relation to McConnell’s remaining two seasons under contract, the Pacers might be shielding themselves from the negative consequences of an age-based decline. McConnell’s birthday is March of next year. In 2027, he will be approaching 35 and maybe seeing a decline.
The free agent classes of 2027 and 2028, though, might potentially have a role. A few players that might be on Indiana’s wish list are guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, center Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, center Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, wing Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, big man Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, and guard Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite McConnell’s potential, the Pacers shouldn’t let his pay get in the way of a consistent All-Star player.
Naturally, some of these players might just be fantasy gamers. Up until that moment, Booker, Jokic, and Curry all gave off the impression that they would sincerely desire to play their entire careers for one team. Both Davis and Curry will be well past their physical prime; Curry may even be close to retiring. However, Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, and Mitchell would be reasonable targets if the Bucks, Heat, or Cavs aren’t strong enough competitors.
It’s also important to remember that in 2028 Pascal Siakam will be a free agent.
After the 2024 All-Star Break, Siakam, who was traded to the Pacers for the previous season, averaged 21.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 36.4 percent shooting from outside the arc. In addition to being a dynamic scorer who relieves a lot of his teammates’ offensive strain, he has a great rapport with Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s face. Owners are typically cost-cutters, therefore McConnell might be given up to lessen their financial load in the future.
