Pacers Bench Leader T.J. McConnell?

Last season appeared to be a forgettable season for T.J. McConnell until the latter half. In the first 15 games of the Indiana Pacers 2023-24 campaign, the backup guard received five DNPs. Furthermore, he had six contests logging less than 15 minutes. However, the nine-year veteran made the most of his minutes and forced Rick Carlisle's hands. By the end of the playoffs, McConnell solidified his spot on the team.

McConnell turns 33 on Mar. 25. At his age, without much athleticism, his success is a byproduct of skill and veteran know-how. Last season, the backup veteran point guard averaged a career-high in the regular season and the playoffs. Averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 assists in the regular season and 11.8 points during the postseason. At 32, McConnell earned Most Improved Player of the Year votes last season.

Over the offseason, the Pacers and McConnell cemented their working relationship with a four-year, $44.8 extension with a team option for the last season. Indiana does not need to worry about McConnell's cost moving forward, as his deal takes up less than seven percent.

Unlike last season, McConnell's role with the Pacers is undeniable. He's the leader off the bench, and unless some unknown player takes the guard from the second-unit leader, the job is his to lose.

Expect more volume from McConnell, but not precisely in scoring. Carlisle trusts the veteran guard with even the most crucial games, as he did in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Carlisle loves the pick-and-roll, and McConnell could run such a sequence with the starting bigs when necessary.

McConnell provides the Pacers with a much-needed supplementary guard to Tyrese Haliburton. Both players can accelerate and push the pace, but McConnell focuses more on the basket.

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Indiana has their gear shift in McConnell.