Woj: McConnell agrees to 4/$45m extension

[Scoot McGroot]

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[Wizop]

Note the ending date:

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also see prior discussions of tax and Turner.

[Scoot McGroot]

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[Tom White]

McConnell is underpaid, and likely underappreciated by most people.

[granger05]

I don't really get this one. I think Nembhard has proven he can play plenty of point so we could always have one of him or Tyrese on-ball. Last year, they were already talking about limiting TJ and him not being a part of the rotation though he played his way into it. I know that he's still an effective player and he had a nice playoff run for us, but this seems like a very long extension for a small guard already into his 30s. I've been assuming we'd move him the past couple of seasons, but this keeps him with us through the trade deadline. Is this just a value play where we think next offseason we can move him to one of the 2nd apron teams that's limited in other ways?

I don't begrudge TJ getting paid and he's been a good player for us, but this doesn't seem like a good use of resources to me unless there are angles I'm missing.

[Scoot McGroot]

I don't really get this one. I think Nembhard has proven he can play plenty of point so we could always have one of him or Tyrese on-ball. Last year, they were already talking about limiting TJ and him not being a part of the rotation though he played his way into it. I know that he's still an effective player and he had a nice playoff run for us, but this seems like a very long extension for a small guard already into his 30s. I've been assuming we'd move him the past couple of seasons, but this keeps him with us through the trade deadline. Is this just a value play where we think next offseason we can move him to one of the 2nd apron teams that's limited in other ways?

I don't begrudge TJ getting paid and he's been a good player for us, but this doesn't seem like a good use of resources to me unless there are angles I'm missing.

I would say that Carlisle has figured out he loves to have 2 solid ball handlers on the court at all times (at least), and especially ones they can push the pace. I see this as indicative that they’ll continue to play fast paced and throw the ball around.

I also assume that they’ll think they can skimp a bit at other positions because Haliburton, Nembhard, and McConnell on the court will ensure that even below average scorers get put in a position to succeed.

[Scoot McGroot]

Double checking CBA rules, and since this is an extension, TJ’s extension HAS to have the same bonuses (likely and unlikely) that his current contract has. So, if $45m is the total salary if he hits all bonuses, it’s possible his deal is actually $400k lower (unless we make the nba finals) each year, and $1.6m lower in total over the 4 years.

[Pacers Forever]

I don't really get this one. I think Nembhard has proven he can play plenty of point so we could always have one of him or Tyrese on-ball. Last year, they were already talking about limiting TJ and him not being a part of the rotation though he played his way into it. I know that he's still an effective player and he had a nice playoff run for us, but this seems like a very long extension for a small guard already into his 30s. I've been assuming we'd move him the past couple of seasons, but this keeps him with us through the trade deadline. Is this just a value play where we think next offseason we can move him to one of the 2nd apron teams that's limited in other ways?

I don't begrudge TJ getting paid and he's been a good player for us, but this doesn't seem like a good use of resources to me unless there are angles I'm missing.

I think TJ is underpaid and playing his best ball late in his career. Happy to see him rewarded and I trust that TJ will go just as hard if not harder until his body won’t let him.

To me this screams 2 things. Carlisle wants to play fast paced offense with both the starters and second team. Tyrese and McConnell as the aggressive point guards.

Secondly it tells me that Nembhard is probably being slotted into the 2 guard roll and not gonna be used as a point much.

Big question is can Benn Mathurin take the starting 2 guard spot away from Nembhard pushing him to the back up 2 ?? Another scenario less likely is that Nembhard is the starting 2 and Mathurin the starting 3 pushing Nesmith to the second team.

I’m guessing to start the season Sheppard or Walker take the departed Jalen Smith’s minutes and Doug McDermott’s minutes. No reason to play anyone else except maybe 4-5 minutes for Furphy unless a blowout situation happens.

Tyrese
Nembhard
Nesmith
Siakam
Turner

McConnell
Mathurin
Sheppard/Walker
Toppin
I Jax/ Wiseman

[JMaster5K]

I don't really get this one. I think Nembhard has proven he can play plenty of point so we could always have one of him or Tyrese on-ball. Last year, they were already talking about limiting TJ and him not being a part of the rotation though he played his way into it. I know that he's still an effective player and he had a nice playoff run for us, but this seems like a very long extension for a small guard already into his 30s. I've been assuming we'd move him the past couple of seasons, but this keeps him with us through the trade deadline. Is this just a value play where we think next offseason we can move him to one of the 2nd apron teams that's limited in other ways?

I don't begrudge TJ getting paid and he's been a good player for us, but this doesn't seem like a good use of resources to me unless there are angles I'm missing.

I would say that Carlisle has figured out he loves to have 2 solid ball handlers on the court at all times (at least), and especially ones they can push the pace. I see this as indicative that they’ll continue to play fast paced and throw the ball around.

I also assume that they’ll think they can skimp a bit at other positions because Haliburton, Nembhard, and McConnell on the court will ensure that even below average scorers get put in a position to succeed.

I think TJ is underpaid and playing his best ball late in his career. Happy to see him rewarded and I trust that TJ will go just as hard if not harder until his body won’t let him.

To me this screams 2 things. Carlisle wants to play fast paced offense with both the starters and second team. Tyrese and McConnell as the aggressive point guards.

Secondly it tells me that Nembhard is probably being slotted into the 2 guard roll and not gonna be used as a point much.

Big question is can Benn Mathurin take the starting 2 guard spot away from Nembhard pushing him to the back up 2 ?? Another scenario less likely is that Nembhard is the starting 2 and Mathurin the starting 3 pushing Nesmith to the second team.

I’m guessing to start the season Sheppard or Walker take the departed Jalen Smith’s minutes and Doug McDermott’s minutes. No reason to play anyone else except maybe 4-5 minutes for Furphy unless a blowout situation happens.

Tyrese
Nembhard
Nesmith
Siakam
Turner

McConnell
Mathurin
Sheppard/Walker
Toppin
I Jax/ Wiseman

CC just did a piece on this today.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/on-t-j-mcconnell-111095716? (don't know if it's paywalled.)

On T.J. McConnell & why there can't be too much of a good thing

Quote from her article:

"And, here's the thing: In this case, while focusing only on the basketball and not the potential salary cap implications, it doesn't appear as though there can be too much of a good thing. In fact, the Pacers outscored opponents by 7.39 points per 100 possessions in 1372 minutes with any two of Haliburton, Nembhard, and McConnell on the floor, as the latter paired particularly well in hybrid lineups with Haliburton spacing the floor (+15.9 in 220 minutes), while also spearheading what was the league's highest scoring bench offense."

End Quote: (LOL)

It is a good read. She goes on to say a lot more about how they function together & how their differences make the team as a whole function together,... i.e Mathurin doesn't fit well with Tyrese, but he fit amazingly well with McConnell, and he can effectively share the floor with Nembhard. So, having all three gives the team the opportunity for all the pieces to fit. The coaches have to figure out when & where. Nembhard may start the season at the 2, but Sheppard brings the combination of defense and potential as a shooter to eventually be the 2. Mathurin may have to show that he can play as a connecting passer as well as a scorer on offense, and improve his off ball defense to earn time at the 2 or 3.

But the long & short of it,... we have 3 point guards,... and it seems like all of them are going to play.

[boomershadow]

Seems like a bit of an overpay, but there's no debate about how he has improved and how he fits the culture and the locker room.

[OnFire]

Note the ending date:

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also see prior discussions of tax and Turner.

Love this for TJ and the team. With the TV money coming in, this is a great value signing that impacts the product on the court to justify whatever aprons we're approaching.

To clarify, though how does this affect the situation with Myles?

[Topofthekey]

Note the ending date:

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also see prior discussions of tax and Turner.

Love this for TJ and the team. With the TV money coming in, this is a great value signing that impacts the product on the court to justify whatever aprons we're approaching.

To clarify, though how does this affect the situation with Myles?

Without dumping any salary, Pacers can't resign Turner now without paying tax

[Wizop]

Tony East LockedOnPacers podcast discusses tax.

[Wizop]

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[Scoot McGroot]

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[Scoot McGroot]

And, even better news….

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[Scoot McGroot]

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[Wizop]

confirming reported details which are excellent

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[granger05]

The partial guarantee and team option certainly make this more palatable to me. The out years were what I was worried about and this makes him more of a tradeable asset later as well.

[azcatz11]

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