The Indiana Pacers' journey to the 2025 NBA Finals has placed center Myles Turner's future with the team under scrutiny. After a decade with the franchise, Turner is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, prompting questions about whether he will remain in Indiana.
Turner's current contract, a two-year extension worth $40.9 million, expires at the end of this season. He signed that extension in January 2023. That deal renegotiated the final year of his previous contract. Because the contracts must last at least three years to be extendable under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Turner will be an unrestricted free agent.
Several factors point towards Turner re-signing with the Pacers. The Pacers have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the past two seasons, with Turner playing a key role. This success has fueled the perception that the Pacers will do what it takes to retain him. Throughout his tenure, Turner has been the subject of numerous trade rumors. However, the Pacers have never pulled the trigger on a deal, signaling their commitment to him.
Despite speculation leading up to the trade deadline, the Pacers did not entertain moving Turner, further indicating their intention to negotiate a new contract this offseason. General Manager Chad Buchanan expressed hope that they will be able to keep Turner on board with a new multi-year deal.
Turner has consistently served as the Pacers' defensive anchor while also providing strong offensive production. Over the last two regular seasons (2023/24 and 2024/25), he has averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting efficiently from the field (.503/.379/.773).
Several veteran centers have signed contract extensions recently that could serve as benchmarks for Turner's negotiations, including Rudy Gobert (three years, $109.5 million) and Jarrett Allen (three years, $90.7 million). However, the Pacers also face financial constraints. While they are projected to be $22 million below the luxury tax for next season without Turner's contract, he will likely seek a raise from his current $19.9 million salary.
The Pacers have historically avoided paying the luxury tax and may need to make strategic moves to stay under the budget. This could involve trading away a key player like T.J. McConnell to create financial flexibility. The Pacers are likely to prioritize re-signing both Turner and Bennedict Mathurin, who is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension.
While most analysts predict the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the series, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan has publicly said he hopes to bring Turner back in the summer. Furthermore, Turner has committed to playing his best in Indiana and has given fans no reason to believe he will depart in the offseason. At this point, all signs point to Turner re-signing with the Pacers next summer.
Ultimately, the decision rests on negotiations between Turner and the Pacers' front office. The Pacers' performance in the NBA Finals and their willingness to offer a competitive contract will be crucial in determining whether Turner remains in Indiana for the foreseeable future.
