The Pacers are hoping to re-sign beginning heart Myles Turner subsequent offseason, common supervisor Chad Buchanan instructed the media on Tuesday.
“We’re large believers in Myles,” Buchanan mentioned. “We wish him to be right here.”
Turner, who will make $19,928,500 this season, will likely be an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer season. Complicating issues for Indiana is that Turner won’t turn into extension-eligible earlier than free company.
As Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star factors out, when Turner signed a two-year contract extension in January 2023, he and the Pacers additionally renegotiated of the ultimate yr of his earlier contract. Sometimes, gamers turn into extension-eligible on the two-year anniversary of their earlier signing, however renegotiating a contract pushes that timeline to a few years.
The Pacers may have a small window after the NBA Finals to barter with Turner earlier than different groups can come calling, because of a brand new rule permitting groups to solely negotiate with their very own free brokers between the tip of the Finals and June 30.
Turner is an impression participant at each ends of the ground. He averaged 17.1 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per recreation final season. He has led the league in blocks twice and can be a decent three-point shooter (35.4% for his profession).
“His improvement match with (coach Rick Carlisle’s) system,” Buchanan mentioned. “He match with our level guards. Match with Pascal. You see how he seamlessly suits into the way in which we play.”
Re-signing Turner will not be a easy course of, as Indiana has long-term wage cap issues. Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam are on maximum-salary contracts, whereas ahead Obi Toppin and guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell every signed long-term offers value eight figures yearly this offseason.
The Pacers will probably need to exceed the posh tax threshold in 2025/26 to pay Turner market worth and retain their core group.
