Pacers ready to break the bank for Myles Turner, enter luxury tax for first time in two decades
The Indiana Pacers are pulling out all the stops to keep center Myles Turner in blue and gold, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Turner, 29, has spent his entire 10-year career with the franchise.
“He’s the longest tenured Pacer currently and Indiana wants to keep it that way, because Myles Turner is due for a massive payday in the offseason,” Charania reported.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Indiana, who’s making their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
“The Pacers know they cannot afford to lose him as a free agent… but in doing so, I’m told the Pacers have determined that they will be entering the luxury tax next season for the first time in 20 years.”
That’s a huge shift for a franchise historically known for financial restraint.
Turner’s current two-year, $40.9 million deal expires this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent if no extension is reached. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, “cap strategists are projecting his salary to land in the $30 million range” annually.
That’s nearly double what he’s making now.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed last week that Pacers ownership is ready to pay the luxury tax to “keep this core together” as they chase the franchise’s first NBA championship.
From Texas to Indiana: Turner’s Journey
The Pacers selected Turner 11th overall in the 2015 NBA draft after his one season at the University of Texas. He’s been a starter since the 2017-18 season and established himself as one of the league’s premier shot-blockers.
The 6-foot-11 big man has won the NBA blocks title twice in his career.
This season, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting a career-best 39.6% from three-point range. His ability to protect the rim and stretch the floor makes him a perfect fit in today’s NBA.
He finished third in total blocks (144) this season, trailing only rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama (176) and Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez (148).
Turner’s defensive impact was on full display against Memphis in February when he swatted away seven shots in a single game.
Finals Impact
During Indiana’s surprising run to the NBA Finals, Turner has continued to deliver, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
He put up 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots in Game 1 against Oklahoma City.
With the Pacers making their deepest playoff run in over two decades, locking up Turner has become a top priority. His unique combination of rim protection and outside shooting makes him irreplaceable in Indiana’s system.
The willingness to enter the luxury tax shows just how serious the Pacers are about keeping their homegrown talent and building on this season’s success.
