[NBA]Pacers successfully maintain their strength, veteran guard TJ McConnell agrees to four-year, $45 million contract extension | Basketball general information site Basket Count BASKET COUNT

Only player to average 10 points and 5 assists off the bench in the postseason

Pacers point guard TJ McConnell has agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension, ESPN reported.

McConnell, 32, graduated from the University of Arizona and joined the 76ers as an undrafted pick in 2015, beginning his NBA career. After four years with the 76ers, he joined the Pacers in the 2019-20 season. In his fifth season, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 assists in 18.2 minutes of playing time, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 40.9%, all career highs. He further increased his presence in the postseason, averaging 11.8 points and 5.1 assists, and contributed greatly to the team’s advancement to the conference finals.

McConnell is tied with Hall of Famer Michael Cooper as the only players (with at least 10 games played) to average at least 10 points and five assists off the bench in a postseason game, per ESPN Stats and Stats, and he was second only to the Kings’ Malik Monk in total assists off the bench last season.

During the offseason, the Pacers were able to sign key players such as Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin to long-term contracts, and McConnell’s extension capped a productive summer for the team as they look to improve on last year’s performance.