The Indiana Pacers have more than a few decisions to make this upcoming offseason, one of them being point guard T.J. McConnell. It is clear that they are retooling this roster around a new style of a team with Rick Carlisle at the wheel.
Where does McConnell fit into this new guard-heavy team and what should the Indiana Pacers do with him going forward?
Indiana signed T.J. McConnell to a 4 year, $33,600,000 contract with the Indiana Pacers, including $29,300,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $8,400,000, per Spotrac.
That was music to the ears of Indiana fans when he signed that deal last offseason, but now Indiana has a completely different team in town.
When McConnell signed originally, he was the clear backup point guard behind Malcolm Brogdon and was a fantastic piece for a Pacers second unit that lacked creation. Now, with the addition of Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers have stylistic choices that need to be made.
We have seen Carlisle already stagger the two point guards when they’ve been able to share the court, seeing Brogdon play more with the second unit. If that is the case next season, well McConnell isn’t known for deep shooting and doesn’t have the best off-ball game because of that.
Would Carlisle stagger Haliburton and Brogdon and play McConnell at the point for the second unit to have Brogdon play the 2 in that same unit?
It would keep Brogdon more in an off Ball role which he is slightly better in, but it may be a stretch for Brogdon. For McConnell, he gets to lead the second unit and continue to shot create off attacking in a role better suited for his style of play.
It would be hard to imagine Brogdon being consistently staggered in that way, but I think Carlisle could make the trio work. Keifer Sykes will likely not return for the Pacers after only signing for the remainder of the 2021-22 season and Ricky Rubio won’t play in Indiana due to his injury.
The Pacers could just decide that Haliburton and Brogdon can start together and find a way to work McConnell in the rotation. Halibrogdon is the new Turbonis for the time being.
Indiana cant pay McConnell this much money to just not play. I think he can still be the team’s backup point guard, but then you have to think about Lance Stephenson’s role as well and if he would be in the plans going forward.
There are many factors that will impact the roster and the team’s future, as it stands currently the Indiana Pacers are 5th in the NBA lottery odds and still own the Cavaliers’ first-round pick as well.
I believe it is in Indiana’s interest to bring back McConnell as a quality backup that has been in (a few) systems in his Indiana tenure. A trade is also possible for the 29-year-old, but that is where the front office will keep busy this offseason in piecing together a roster around their young core.
I think McConnell will remain a Pacer after this offseason in my opinion and will be interested to see how the Pacers organization continues to shape this roster.