The Indiana Pacers advanced to last season’s NBA Eastern Conference Finals due in large part to the depth of their roster, getting impactful play from reserves like TJ McConnell.
McConnell, 32, was rewarded for his performance with a four-year, $45 million contract extension. reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPNThe 10-year veteran had one season remaining on his current deal but is now under contract through the 2028-29 campaign.
Last season, McConnell averaged a career-high 10.2 points per game with 5.5 assists and 41 percent shooting from 3-point range. He increased that output 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 ease the load on Tyrese Haliburton.
McConnell is about to enter 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 has averaged 7.5 points and 5.1 assists per game and shot 35% from three-point range.
Signing McConnell to a long-term contract is the Pacers’ latest step toward keeping a strong core together. During the offseason, Indiana also re-signed Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, and extended the contract of Andrew Nembhard, who has also emerged as a key player in 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 season-ending tournament finals. The Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and Knicks in the playoffs before being swept by the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics.