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Report: Pacers exercise options on Leaf, Aaron Holiday for 2020-21

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The Indiana Pacers will pick up their team option on forward TJ Leaf's contract for the 2020-21 season, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Indiana also exercised its third-year option on guard Aaron Holiday for the same campaign, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Leaf's salary is expected to be worth approximately $4.3 million in 2020-21, according to Spotrac, while Holiday is set to earn $2.3 million that season. The latter is expected to become Indiana's backup point guard this year, Charania added.

Leaf has struggled to solidify a spot in the Pacers' rotation since he was drafted 18th overall in 2017. The 22-year-old has played just under nine minutes per game and made one start in his first two seasons while averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds.

A quad injury has also limited Leaf this preseason, forcing him to miss two overseas games in India against the Sacramento Kings. However, he's since been a full participant in practice, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star.

Despite his struggles, the Israel-born athlete has shown flashes of talent, including a double-double in the final game of his sophomore regular season. In that contest, Leaf recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks while the Pacers rested most of their starters in preparation for the postseason.

Holiday had a respectable rookie year in Indiana. The 23rd overall pick in 2018 averaged 5.9 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 50 games last season, playing 12.9 minutes per contest and shooting 33.9% from deep. He's currently set to be teammates with older brother Justin Holiday. Both players are the brothers of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday.

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