Indiana Pacers: 4 players that should be traded before Victor Oladipo

Pacers to be traded before Victor Oladipo: T.J. McConnell

T.J. McConnell isn’t a star player but could be an attractive asset for some teams looking for help in the ball-handling department.

In fact, with Oladipo coming back, McConnell’s skills handling the ball suddenly aren’t as necessary. Already playing south of 19 minutes per game, McConell isn’t firmly in the center of the rotation and has proven a work ethic that any of the 30 teams in the NBA should be interested in bringing into their culture.

McConnell can’t score for himself, but he’s a willing and capable passer and brings an energy and tenacity to the floor that is contagious. Likewise, on the defensive end, he’s not a lockdown perimeter defender but uses his energy to put pressure on ball handlers for all 94 feet.

McConnell’s contract clocks in at $3.5 million next year, meaning he’d be a cheap get for any team that can make an offer that catches the eyes of the Pacers front office.

McConnell should be far from untouchable, but my guess is that no deal centered on McConnell would net anything substantial. If he’s moved at all, he’ll likely be a smaller moving part of a larger deal rather than a focal point.

Still, there’s value in what he brings to a team in a very valuable position, and he is expendable.