Jan 7, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch watches his team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Pacers Reportedly Want To Sign Key Player For Remainder Of His Career
Although the Indiana Pacers got swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics, one has to say they had a successful season.
Not a ton was expected from them when the season started, but they quickly became a potent and exciting fast-break team, and their midseason trade for two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam raised their ceiling considerably.
Although the Indiana Pacers got swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics, one has to say they had a successful season.
Not a ton was expected from them when the season started, but they quickly became a potent and exciting fast-break team, and their midseason trade for two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam raised their ceiling considerably.
One key player for them this year has been backup point guard T.J. McConnell, and per Pacers GM Chad Buchanan (via Evan Sidery), the Pacers want to give him an extension so he can spend the rest of his career with them.
McConnell, a nine-year veteran, averaged a career-high 10.2 points a game, as well as 5.5 assists during the regular season, and he stepped things up during the playoffs as a key spark-plug off the bench.
With Tyrese Haliburton injured in the last two games of the East finals, McConnell scored 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds and six assists, in Game 3, and added 15 points in Game 4.
Moving forward, Indiana has a very competitive and interesting roster, and a full training camp this fall with Siakam should do them plenty of good.
Defense and rebounding have been identified as weak spots that need to be improved, but after leading the NBA in scoring, field-goal percentage, and assists in the regular season, they certainly have as much firepower as any other team in the league.
Perhaps next season, with a few roster tweaks this summer, the Pacers could make a serious run at a spot in the NBA Finals.
