The Indiana Pacers are aiming to retain all of their key pieces with veteran center Myles Turner heading for free agency in the offseason.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Sunday that “ownership has indicated a willingness to increase spending next season and potentially reenter the luxury tax to keep this core together.” Whether that happens, both broadly and with Turner specifically, is another matter.
“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,” Windhorst wrote. “But internally the Pacers are hoping to be able to keep Turner without sacrificing their outstanding depth.”
Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and two blocks per game in 72 appearances, and he shot a career-best 39.6 percent from beyond the arc.
The 29-year-old is equally effective, if not more, in the postseason. He has hit 41.7 percent of his threes while swatting 2.3 shots per contest.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported in January that Turner is likely to seek $30-plus million a year on his next contract. Considering Isaiah Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, that’s a fair number for Turner and his representatives to pursue.
That could nonetheless present a dilemma for the Pacers when their payroll is already at $167.9 million before accounting for any additions. The first and second aprons for the luxury tax are $195.9 million and $207.8 million respectively. A market-level salary for Turner will put Indiana into the first apron at the very least.
Beyond the organization’s reputation, the collective bargaining agreement forces front offices to be even more purposeful with their spending. Keeping Turner will restrict what else team president Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan can do to fine-tune the roster.
The Pacers are two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals. Their championship window is open wider than it has been in at least decade, going back to the Paul George and Roy Hibbert-led squads coached by Frank Vogel.
Willingly letting Turner walk would undoubtedly frustrate the fanbase. However, Indiana may have to back down if the bidding becomes too costly.
