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Extending both Domantas Sabonis and T.J. Leaf’s deals are smart moves for the Pacers

By Ben Gibson

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 02: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot between T.J. Leaf #22 and Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at the Bradley Center on March 2, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 02: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot between T.J. Leaf #22 and Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at the Bradley Center on March 2, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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In a pair of no-brainer decisions, the Indiana Pacers are planning to extend the rookie contracts of both Domantas Sabonis and TJ Leaf.

Domantas Sabonis and TJ Leaf will see their rookie deals extended one more season, the Indiana Pacers announced Monday. As long as they pass physicals, it should happen in the coming days, Kevin Pritchard said at the team’s media day.

Unlike their teammate Myles Turner, who doesn’t seem likely receive an extension before the deadline next month, the duo knows their short-term futures as far as contacts are concerned.

The Pacers will pay Sabonis $3.5 million next season while Leaf is due $2.8 million.

It’s an easy choice for the Pacers on both accounts, even more so with Sabonis. The combined roughly $7.5 million would be worth it for Sabonis alone, but for him and a potential shooter, it couldn’t have been a hard choice for Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan.

Sabonis averaged 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2 assists a game last season, and when he got a chance to play as a starter, those averages jumped to a double-double with 13.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg, and 2.6 apg.

While a stat like VORP (value over replacement player) hardly tells the whole story, Sabonis ranked higher than Hassan Whiteside ($24 million) or Evan Fournier ($17 million) last season, making it easy to say the Pacers are getting a substantial return on their investment.

TJ Leaf shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range last season and averaged 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds a game in limited minutes. If Leaf’s defense improves to where he can play more than garbage time, then his contract could be a steal for the Pacers as well. If nothing else, he’s acceptable as a deep rotation player like he is right now. He shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range last season.

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With so many cap holds hanging on the Pacers roster next season — thanks to so many expiring contracts — locking in two players at a low cost isn’t a bad idea, regardless of their production.

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