Pacers Reportedly 'Want to Keep' Myles Turner on New Contract in 2025 NBA Free Agency
The Indiana Pacers may have to get a little uncomfortable to keep Myles Turner in town.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that the Pacers would like to keep the center but that it will require some "maneuvering" to retain him and remain below the luxury tax.
"Team sources told me the Pacers absolutely want to keep Turner, who is closing in on his 700th game for the franchise," Windhorst wrote Friday. "But Indiana has to manage a cash crunch. They are currently projected to be about $22 million below next season's luxury tax without Turner, and he'll probably be looking for a significant raise on his current $19.9 million salary. The Pacers haven't paid the luxury tax since 2005, and there are no plans to go into it next season, sources said. Keeping Turner is going to require some negotiating and some maneuvering."
Turner has been with Indiana for the entirety of his 10-year career and has been a force in the paint. He is averaging 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 65 games this season.
Turner is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer and is the third-highest-paid player on the Pacers behind Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. He should receive a significant raise due to his play and the demand around the league for solid centers.
If the Pacers intend to keep Turner entrenched as a core piece alongside Siakam and Haliburton, it may take a few trades or a willingness from the front office to dip into the luxury tax.
