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NBA: Minimum Contract, Maximum Value

By Simon Smith

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell (1) passes the ball during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

Contract: $874,636; expires 2017-18 (team option)

While has hasn’t garnered anywhere near the attention of teammate and current rookie of the year favorite Joel Embiid, McConnell is making an impression in his own right. In his second season having gone undrafted out of Arizona, McConnell has improved as the season has progressed. Through 41 games, McConnell is averaging 5.1 points, 5.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 23.0 minutes per game.

Entering the season, McConnell appeared to be the 76ers third-string point guard behind newcomers Jerryd Bayless and Sergio Rodriguez. However, with Bayless having played just three games for the season due to a wrist problem, and a recent ankle injury that has sidelined Rodriguez, McConnell has started the last 10 games for the Sixers. In this time, McConnell is averaging 7.8 points, 8.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.7 minutes per game.

During this recent stretch, McConnell has ranked eighth in the league in assists. Furthermore, the following numbers illustrate the impact McConnell has made during his starting stint:

McConnell On Court:

Offensive Rating (76ers’ points per 100 possessions): 102.3

Defensive Rating (Opposition points per 100 possessions): 98.7

McConnell Off Court:

Offensive Rating: 95.6

Defensive Rating: 102.8

Highlights

Check out highlights below of McConnell’s  career-high 17 assist performance during a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Whether McConnell remains the Sixers’ starting point guard in the future remains to be seen. But the team can be heartened that they have found a terrific pickup at the league minimum.