The Charlotte Hornets are interested in trading for Indiana Pacers guard TJ McConnell, according to Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network.
The Phoenix Suns are also interested in trading for McConnell, who prefers to stay with the Pacers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, the Suns may not trade for McConnell since they don’t have any readily tradeable players left on the roster.
McConnell appeared in 75 games for the Pacers last season. He averaged 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 54.3% from the field, 44.1% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line.
The 31-year-old McConnell has career averages of 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers and Pacers. The veteran will make $8.7 million next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers & Charlotte Hornets Updates
One NBA writer proposed that the Pacers and Hornets make a trade centered around McConnell and Cody Martin. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed that the Pacers trade McConnell to the Hornets for Martin.
“Indiana has virtually no use for McConnell with Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown and Andrew Nembhard all in the fold,” Favale wrote. “Martin is coming off a down year amid knee and ankle issues, but he’s the NBA’s version of a five-tool player—someone who can be moved up and down the functional spectrum at both ends of the floor.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Neither the Pacers nor the Hornets made the 2023 playoffs. This trade Favale came up with isn’t splashy at all, but it could benefit both teams. The Pacers would be getting more length at the small forward spot in Martin, while the Hornets would receive a veteran ball-handler in McConnell.
“For now, Charlotte is better off upgrading its second-unit ball-handling and playmaking,” Favale wrote. “Dennis Smith Jr. shuffled off to Brooklyn, and staggering Terry Rozier to use him as a primary setup man stretches his skill set too far. Martin can capably handle some of those reps. McConnell can handle even more of them. The Hornets lose a little theoretical spacing, but they juice their decision-making and defensive ball pressure.”
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