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Indiana Pacers news: Grading Nate McMillan’s contract extension

By Duncan Smith

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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What it means for Nate McMillan

Once-in-a-lifetime pandemic or no, security is never a bad thing. Nate McMillan would have entered the final season of his contract next year, and given that coaches and teams alike avoid lame-duck scenarios, the clock was ticking until this news came out.

As of the time of Wojnarowski’s report, terms had not yet been released, but suffice it to say he’ll be around for at least a few more years.

McMillan’s teams will never wow you with transcendent offense, even with legitimate stars like Victor Oladipo and Bubble TJ Warren, but they will make your life miserable and grind you defensively. In spite of their injuries this season they had the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA at 107.9 and last season their defensive rating was third-best at 106.0.

On the offensive end, his teams are unimaginative and generally locked into an older way of doing things. For example, they took the second-most mid-range jump shots this season at 17.4 per game, and they took the fewest 3-pointers in the NBA at just 27.8 per game (the Houston Rockets average 45.8 per game and took 61 3s against the Milwaukee Bucks in the bubble, for comparison).

While old school, Nate McMillan’s teams work hard and they win, and he’s been justly rewarded for it.

Pacers’ grade: B

McMillan’s grade: B+

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