The Pacers are hoping to re-sign big man Myles Turner next offseason, GM Chad Buchanan told the media on Tuesday.
“We’re big believers in Myles,” Buchanan said. “We want him to be here.”
Turner, who will make $19,928,500 this season, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Complicating matters for Indiana is that Turner is not extension-eligible before free agency.
As Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star points out, Turner signed a two-year contract extension in January 2023 that also re-negotiated the final year of his previous contract. Only contracts that last three years or longer are extendable under the current CBA.
The Pacers will have a small window after the NBA Finals to negotiate with Turner before other teams can come calling.
Turner is an impact player at both ends of the floor. He averaged 17.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season. He’s led the league in blocks twice and is also a respectable 3-point shooter (35.4% for his career).
“His development fit with (coach Rick Carlisle’s) system,” Buchanan said. “He fit with our point guards. Fit with Pascal. You see how he seamlessly fits into the way we play.”
Re-signing Turner may not be a simple process, as Indiana has long-term salary cap concerns. Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam are signed to max contracts. Forward Obi Toppin and guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell were signed to long-term contracts this offseason.
The Pacers will likely have to exceed the luxury tax threshold in 2025/26 to pay Turner market value and retain their core group.
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