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Nate McMillan doesn’t need your approval, but he could use a contract extension

By Ben Gibson

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Head Coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nate McMillan is in the final year of his contract, but it is likely only a matter of time before the Indiana Pacers offer him an extension.

The Indiana Pacers overachieved last season as Nate McMillan guided them to a 48-34 record in his second season as the head coach. A 7-game series with the Cleveland Cavaliers proved more competitive than most expected as well.

So, is an extension in the works?

The Indianapolis Star’s J. Michael is saying that is likely only a matter of time before that happens now that most of the other offseason business is out of the way.

While it could be awhile before any extension is signed, or even offered, it is all but inevitable that the Pacers will keep him around. McMillan has a 90-74 record as the Pacers coach, part of his 568-526 overall record as an NBA coach.

Despite McMillan getting more than anyone expected out of the Pacers last season, he isn’t beloved by fans or the media. He never got out of the shadow of being an unexciting hire after Frank Vogel was fired, which have led to his muddled approval ratings.

Without that initial bit of good will, McMillan struggled to earn fans love and respect in an up and down and ultimately doomed first season with Indiana, posting a 42-40 record.

A better than expected second season certainly helped convince some nay-sayers, but McMillan’s time in Indiana is in doubt until an extension if offered and he may never convince some that he is the right coach for Indiana.

It’s good to hear that the Pacers are planning to get an extension done because we’ve seen how uncertainty can breed toxicity. Chemistry played a huge role in Indiana’s success last season, and McMillan deserved credit for getting the most out of the players.

No coach is perfect, and some McMillan’s tactics could use altering, but ultimately he got more out of the Pacers than anyone reasonably would have expected before the season. Indiana was projected to win 30-some games, after all.

Next: Indiana's bench won't be lacking this season

You can debate how much credit McMillan deserves, but he is part of the Pacers’ winning equation in one way or another.

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