INDIANAPOLIS — Veteran spark‑plug guard T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers have finalized a four‑year, approximately $45 million contract extension, locking him in through the 2028‑29 season. The deal was confirmed by agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman .

 

At 32, McConnell has evolved from undrafted rookie to one of the NBA’s elite backup point guards. In the most recent campaign, he produced career highs: 10.2 points per game in the regular season and 11.8 points in the playoffs, while averaging 5.1 assists. He played a pivotal role in Indiana’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals . His postseason contributions ranked him among the top bench playmakers league‑wide—second in total assists off the pine .

 

Built as a team‑friendly contract, the extension reportedly includes partial guarantees in the final two seasons, with a team option in Year 4. The total value comes to around $44.8 million, with just under $30 million fully guaranteed . From the Pacers’ standpoint, it preserves cap flexibility while securing a high‑character locker‑room leader.

 

Indiana’s front office sees McConnell as more than just depth. President Kevin Pritchard lauded his “intensity, competitive spirit and passion for the game and his teammates,” calling him integral to their culture and recent playoff success .

 

For McConnell—who entered the league undrafted in 2015 after college stops at Duquesne and Arizona—the extension cements his place in Indianapolis history. As a bench standout, he’s left his mark with record-setting defensive effort (including nine steals in a half) and timely scoring bursts .

 

This move also locks in a veteran safety valve behind star point guard Tyrese Haliburton (signed through 2029), complementing their depth chart alongside Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam, both under contract for multiple seasons .

 

With McConnell’s gritty leadership and dynamic energy secured, the Pacers have fortified a core group poised for another deep playoff push.