One of the big surprises of the season, both with the midseason acquisition on Siakam and their deep playoff run, the Pacers must feel good about their position coming into this offseason. Proving this by quickly signing Siakam to a 4-year max contract for an estimated 189.5 million. Not surprising as they traded for him was because they had an understanding that he was willing to resign in Indiana. While the length of the contract presents some potential for the end years of the contract to be very toxic for a player already 30 who relies heavily on athleticism. If that’s the number it took to resign him it’s not too big of a hit. Due to the Pacer’s having very few big money contracts on the books, with the Siakam extension they are still only 8.6 million over the cap and 20.6 million below the tax. That leaves only two other notable salary impacting moves they have to make decisions on this offseason, resigning restricted free agent Obi Toppin and potentially saving 4.3 million of McConnel’s 9.3 million salary by waiving him before the draft. There is also the player option for Jalen Smith, however due to reporting from Mike Scotto saying Smith is likely to decline it and seeks a larger role on a different team, I’m not going to be adding the 5.4 million of his option year to the Pacer’s books.

Obi Toppin is entering restricted free agency after a season where he was the game 1 starter but fell almost out of the rotation by the end of the regular season. How much of a hit that will have on his perception around the league is unknow, but it certainly isn’t positive. However, making it back to a regular rotation spot in the playoffs could provide a boost to his market. I estimate some team, if not the Pacer’s themselves will offer him the non-taxpayer MLE, which is about 12.95 over 4 years. For the Pacers, how much do they value his performance in the playoffs versus the regular season? Having fallen almost out of the rotation doesn’t warrant that type of money, especially with Siakam playing the same position as him. but his energetic transition play style does fir very well with what they are trying to do on offense. They also traded for Toppin last offseason, there could be some sunk cost pressuring the front office that traded for him to resign him for more than he may be worth to this team. If the Pacers decide to offer or match that it will take them pretty close the tax line, leaving them 7.71 million in room to maneuver or make another move.

They could create some breathing room underneath the tax line by waiving TJ McConnell before the draft to add 4.3 million to their space from the tax line, putting them at about 12 million underneath the tax. However, while McConnell isn’t a starter he is still a consistent part of their rotation and played well in the playoffs. Even to save money I don’t see them making this move unless they have another offer in mind that requires the extra room underneath the tax. That move could be a trade, using some of their young players like Mathurin, Walker, and Sheppard plus a few picks to go get another starter or high-level rotation player to attempt to maximize these next few seasons while Siakam is still playing at a high level. However, without a move like that lined up I don’t see why they would waive McConnell, even with his flaws that make it hard to play him in the playoffs having 48 minutes of quality point guard play in the regular season is very valuable.

The Indiana Pacers are in a good position for the offseason after signing Siakam to a max contract. They have decisions to make regarding restricted free agent Obi Toppin and potentially waiving TJ McConnell to create financial flexibility. Toppin’s value to the team and his performance in the playoffs will influence the Pacers’ decision on whether to offer him a contract. Waiving McConnell could provide financial flexibility for potential roster moves, but his consistent contribution to the team makes this a challenging decision.