2. T.J. McConnell
The backup point guard bolted his first team, the Philadelphia 76ers, after four years. Going undrafted in 2015, McConnell had some great seasons with his original team. His team would only make the playoffs in just his final two years with the 76ers.
On July 3, 2019, he would leave them for the Indiana Pacers. The two-year deal was worth $7 million. This last postseason was his second one as a Pacer. The team qualified for the playoffs in his first year playing for Indiana. That made his third season in a row.
In 2021, McConnell had some big games in his NBA career. To start, on March 3rd of that year, he recorded nine steals in the first half. He would go on to produce a triple-double on points, assists, and steals.
It was the first time a player had done so ever coming off the bench. This feat had not been done since Mookie Blaylock in 1998. Production like this from McConnell led to his next contract with the Indiana Pacers. He would re-sign for four years at $35 million.
Last season, the former Arizona Wildcat averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 assists a game. This would be the first time McConnell hit double digits with his season-scoring average.
He would do so in the postseason this past year. The nine-year veteran averaged 11.8 points and 5.1 assists during the 17 playoff games. Both numbers are at least double his previous career-best in the postseason.