Latest posts by Sam Amico (see all)
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The Indiana Pacers intend to exercise the fourth-year contract option on forward T.J. Leaf, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The move will lock in Leaf and his $4.3 million through the 2020-21 season.
Leaf, 22, is 6-foot-10 and entering his third year. He averaged 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds last season in 58 appearances.
He was selected with the No. 18 overall draft pick in 2017 and could potentially see more time this year following the free agency departure of Thaddeus Young (Chicago Bulls).
The Pacers are likely to start center Myles Turner and power forward Domantas Sabonis, with Leaf and rookie Goga Bitadze as the other potential bigs in coach Nate McMillan’s rotation.
The Pacers open the season Oct. 23 at home vs. the Detroit Pistons.