The Phoenix Suns might set their sights on one of the Indiana Pacers’ standout players from the playoffs this offseason.
The Indiana Pacers, despite their season ending in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, enter the offseason with newfound optimism. They significantly exceeded expectations, making a deep playoff run after three consecutive seasons of missing the postseason entirely.
A pivotal factor in their success was the mid-season acquisition of Pascal Siakam. As the offseason approaches, the Pacers face several key decisions about their roster. One likely move involves reshuffling their backcourt to address its depth.
T.J. McConnell, who was instrumental off the bench during the playoffs, may find himself out of the rotation next season with Bennedict Mathurin returning from injury.
Could the Pacers trade T.J. McConnell?
If no changes occur, the Pacers’ backcourt next season will include Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, and McConnell. This creates a logjam with five capable players vying for four spots. It’s also likely that the Pacers will make additional offseason moves, which could further complicate the backcourt situation.
Trading one of their guards for a player who can contribute on the wing or in the frontcourt makes strategic sense. McConnell, a valued veteran at 32, may be the prime candidate for such a trade. With only one year left on his contract and Indiana needing to extend key players like Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, McConnell’s future with the team appears uncertain.
Fortunately for the Pacers, McConnell is likely to attract interest if they decide to trade him. Recent reports suggest the Phoenix Suns could be a potential destination. The Suns, having shown interest in McConnell before, are in need of depth and might find his playoff performance particularly appealing. McConnell could be the depth piece Phoenix seeks this offseason.
