The Indiana Pacers face a big decision this offseason.
They’ve already surprised the basketball world during the playoffs, first knocking out Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and the Milwaukee Bucks, then doing the same to Donovan Mitchell and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, they’re just two wins away from the NBA Finals.
But as much as the present looks bright, the front office has to think ahead, especially when it comes to veteran center Myles Turner.
Should the Indiana Pacers Pay the Luxury Tax To Keep Myles Turner?
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, keeping Turner won’t be simple or cheap.
Tyrese Haliburton may be the current face of the team, but Turner has been the franchise anchor for nearly a decade. His current contract — a two-year, $40.9 million deal — is about to expire. That puts the Pacers in a tough spot: either pay Turner and go into the luxury tax for the first time since 2005, or let him walk and risk a major hole in their frontcourt.
“The small-market Pacers have not paid the luxury tax since 2005. … Owner Herb Simon (and older brother Mel Simon, before his death in 2009) authorized less than $10 million in luxury tax spending in franchise history. For reference, eight teams are paying more than $15 million in tax just this season,” Windhorst wrote.
“But Simon will turn 91 later this year and has taken on new investors in recent years. And with the Pacers making another deep playoff run, ownership has indicated a willingness to increase spending next season and potentially reenter the luxury tax to keep this core together, sources said.”
Turner averaged 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds this season and remains one of the league’s top shot blockers. He’s a legit rim protector and stretches the floor on offense. Replacing that kind of production won’t be easy — or cheap.
The Pacers already have big money committed to Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Andrew Nembhard. Adding a new deal for Turner could push them past the tax line, and that’s a place Simon has historically avoided.
But this run to the Eastern Conference Finals could change that. If Indiana gets past the New York Knicks and makes it to the Finals, it’ll be hard to ignore Turner’s impact—and even harder to justify letting him go to save money.
Throughout his career, Turner’s ability to stretch the court and serve as a rim protector has made him a crucial part of Indy’s ability to match up with teams.
However, even with Indiana up 2-1, Turner’s impact has been minimized due to his matchup with the fleet-footed Karl-Anthony Towns, further muddying up his future fit with the Pacers.
“Rival teams remain skeptical at this point, having for generations seen the Pacers make decisions to avoid the tax penalty, as they monitor the Turner situation. But internally the Pacers are hoping to be able to keep Turner without sacrificing their outstanding depth. Regardless of where this playoff run ends for Indiana, the goal is to maintain this latest incarnation for the foreseeable future,” Windhorst wrote.
For now, fans are left guessing. If Turner hits free agency, the Pacers will need to find a new center who can anchor their defense and help them stay competitive in the East. That won’t be easy.
Whether Turner stays or goes might come down to how this playoff run ends — and whether Simon is finally ready to write a luxury tax check.
