Indiana
Should the Indiana Pacers extend the contract of T.J. McConnell?
INDIANAPOLIS — T.J. McConnell is still eligible for a contract extension for the Indiana Pacers, one of the biggest offseason checklist items left in the Circle City. The veteran guard is coming off of a career year and was a vital piece for Indiana’s top-tier bench.
Earlier in the offseason, reporting suggested that the prevailing notion around the NBA was that McConnell would get a longer deal with the blue and gold. He became eligible for an extension in early July.
“We’d love to keep T.J. as a Pacer for life,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said during a radio interview earlier this offseason.
The 32-year old had a career year in 2023-24, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 assists per game. That scoring number was his career high as he turned into an elite role player down the stretch of the campaign. His scoring and passing were at a peak level for over two months.
His points average actually climbed in the postseason while his assist number essentially remained stable. On the biggest stages, he was even better. Nobody could stay in front of him as the Pacers raced to the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I think everybody saw his value throughout the year, over the last few years. But to see it really shine in the playoffs was something I think was a big goal for T.J., and he accomplished that this year,” Buchanan said. “To have him here long term, we’d love to keep T.J. as a Pacer for life. The business part eventually comes into play for everybody, but would hate to lose that guy.”
McConnell is important for the blue and gold beyond his production. He can run an up-tempo offense, which is vital for Indiana. They played fast and had a pace number near the top of the league. Tyrese Haliburton’s skills require a rapid offense. When the star guard exits the court, McConnell can maintain that system during his minutes, and the Pacers don’t miss a beat.
Indiana kept their offensive rating over 120 with McConnell on the floor without Haliburton, an impressive feat. It’s why the team had one of the best offenses in NBA history last season.
“Phenomenal year for T.J.,” Buchanan said. “I don’t know what you can say more about T.J., what he has meant to this team. Beloved by his teammates, his coaches, the staff, the fans. He’s what you want an Indiana Pacer to be about.”
From the perspective of production and fit, keeping McConnell is a no brainer for the Pacers. But it’s about more than that. As the GM alluded to, the business part comes into play and makes things tricky.
Indiana is close to the luxury tax right now, and they currently project to be about $33 million away next offseason with Myles Turner, McConnell, Isaiah Jackson, and possibly others entering free agency. It will be tough for the blue and gold to keep their whole team together if they are set on staying under the tax line.
Of course, that restriction may not actually prevent Indiana from doing anything. They could just blow past the tax and keep whoever they want. But that’s an expensive decision, and their appetite for doing so may depend on how this season goes.
Additionally, McConnell turns 33 during the upcoming campaign. Modern NBA players can remain effective deeper into their 30s, but the age curve comes for everyone eventually. McConnell is a smaller guard, so his speed is a requirement.
McConnell’s value doesn’t end on the hardwood. He is a beloved teammate and veteran, and losing him would be a hit in the locker room. He’s a key piece for the blue and gold in every way.
After his strong season, he’s eligible for a four year contract extension worth up to about $81 million. He will be eligible for a deal that fits within those parameters any time until free agency starts next summer, so the Pacers could, in theory, assess how he plays this season and fits into their finances after potential trades before agreeing to a deal.
Should McConell want an extension, locking it in sooner would be better for him. Securing guaranteed money ASAP is the best outcome for any NBA player. There are a lot of factors at play with a possible extension for McConnell.
The Pacers have kept their own players around via extensions often in the past five years. Perhaps they will again with McConnell, but timing, age, and finances make it fall just short of a no-brainer for Indiana.
ABC pulls upcoming ‘Bachelorette’ season. Here’s what to know
A Carmel man and former Purdue basketball player was set to compete on this season that won’t air.
Should ABC air the canceled-for-now season of “The Bachelorette”? A Carmel man who was set to compete on it seems to think so.
Matt Carroll, a 43-year-old Purdue basketball alum and Carmel resident, took to social media over the weekend to address the cancelation of season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” on which he appeared. Public opinion on whether the show should see the light of day is split, but the former Boilermaker forward and industrial real estate broker hopes the footage makes it to air.
Disney and ABC pulled season 22 of “The Bachelorette” because its lead, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul, faces an ongoing domestic violence investigations. The network announced the decision March 19 after TMZ leaked a video from a 2023 domestic violence incident involving Paul and her ex Dakota Mortensen.
Neither Carroll nor the show have officially commented on the cancelation, but that doesn’t mean he and other contestants haven’t hinted at their feelings on social media.
Carroll’s Instagram reel — in which he struts through the streets of Carmel, rose in hand, RAYE’s “Where the Hell is My Husband” soundtracking it all — breaks the ice. “So…about that,” he joked, tagging both “The Bachelorette” and Bachelor Nation, the franchise’s official hub for news and content.
The reel has garnered comments from fellow Carmel residents wishing Carroll well, even offering to set him up with local singles. Notably, though, some of Carroll’s followers have called for the season to air — and he agrees.
“Trying to manifest that they still air this,” one comment from model Brittany Mason reads. “America wants it the world wants it!”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Carroll replied.
Another response from him put it more plainly:
“I’m still hoping they decide to air it.”
Whether “The Bachelorette” will air is unclear. Disney Entertainment Television’s official statement only indicated that it was halting the season “for now,” so it’s possible the network could dust off the footage and air it after all.
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Final Four is set.
Four teams have advanced to the Final Four and will compete for the national championship this upcoming weekend in Indianapolis.
The two national semifinal matchups will take place on Saturday. Tip times for the two games have been announced:
- 6:09 p.m. EDT – No. 3 seed Illinois vs. No. 2 seed UConn
- 8:49 p.m. EDT – No. 1 seed Michigan vs. No. 1 seed Arizona
The winners of Saturday’s games will then play in the National Championship Game on Monday, April 6.
Each game will take place inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
INDIANAPOLIS — Hundreds of Hoosiers gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Saturday morning as part of nationwide ‘No Kings’ events to voice their concerns about the current administration.
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Hundreds gather at Indiana State Capitol for ‘No Kings’ protest
“I’m out here today because what’s happening in our government is completely trash,” Donna Sipes told WRTV. “It’s wrong. We need to do something about it.”
“I’m tired of every single day when the TV comes on to see what stupid thing he’s done next,” Lindi Marti said.
WRTV
Attendees noted the growing popularity of the demonstrations.
“This is my fourth one to come to. I didn’t come to all of them when it was really cold, but I’m glad to see that they are getting a lot more people out here every time,” Marti added. “It seems like there’s more and more coming.”
Demonstrators highlighted specific foreign policy concerns, including the administration’s handling of the war in Iran.
“We’re bombing the heck out of them. We’re killing civilians,” Marti’s husband said. “We’re getting ready to send our Marines.”
WRTV
Others focused on the administration’s handling of immigration.
“That’s what I’m concerned about,” Reverend Kenny Little told WRTV. “Little kids, they’re taking them away from their family. And I’m just one of those people, I think everyone got rights.”
Indiana medical students also attended the rally to speak out against changes to the healthcare system.
“We’re really worried about the attacks on the health care system in general, but with Medicaid… current estimates range from anywhere from 325,000 to 450,000 Hoosiers will lose coverage by 2032,” Wade Catt said with concern.
WRTV
With midterm elections approaching later this year, attendees emphasized the importance of now taking action at the ballot box.
“If we don’t vote, then things are gonna not, they’re gonna stay the same,” a protester said.
Meanwhile, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith says he’s happy to see Hoosiers exercise their First Amendment right to protest.
However, he takes issue with the idea that President Trump is acting like a king. Beckwith says the fact that people have the freedom to protest is proof that the president is not acting like a tyrant.
He acknowledges that bridging the gap between the sides is probably an uphill battle, but believes communication is key.
“I think when you sit down with people face to face, you’re confronted with humanity. There’s another human sitting across that table from you and talking to you. And so, all I have to say, I think that’s probably the thing I would encourage all Hoosiers to do is say, ‘Hey, if you don’t agree with somebody or if you don’t like somebody, why don’t you try grabbing coffee with them? And give it 30 minutes, and just see what happens.’ I bet most of the time people will walk away with a much softer heart and spirit towards that person before they came in,” Beckwith said.
Beckwith is currently on a 92-county tour of the state. He says all sides are welcome to attend his events.
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