With only a handful of games remaining on the schedule, the Indiana Pacers will soon shift their focus towards the postseason. After making the conference finals last year, the Pacers are hoping to go on another deep playoff run. They currently sit comfortably as the No. 4 seed in the East. Barring a late-season collapse, the Pacers are set to secure homecourt advantage for the first time since 2020.
This is an exciting time for Pacers fans as the team will have another crack at advancing to the NBA Finals despite their slow start to the season. However, regardless of the Pacers' current standing in the league, they will have a major decision to make in the offseason regarding Myles Turner.
The long-time Pacers big man will hit unrestricted free agency this offseason and is not eligible to sign a new extension. Recent reports have indicated that the Pacers want to re-sign Turner but do not want to pay the luxury tax. Re-signing Turner no matter the cost should be a no-brainer for the Pacers. However, if these reports are true, Pacers fans may have to say goodbye to some key players on the team.
Pacers may have to move on from depth pieces to re-sign Myles Turner
In addition to Turner, the Pacers have to make a decision on Bennedict Mathurin this offseason. Mathurin, who is continuing to improve as a Pacer, is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension this summer. The Pacers have already locked up numerous key players long-term, meaning that signing Turner and Mathurin to new deals this offseason will most likely force them to pay the luxury tax. Because of this, the Pacers are likely going to move on from a few of their notable bench pieces.
The most likely candidate is Obi Toppin, who was in trade rumors as recently as this year. Toppin signed a new deal to remain in Indiana last summer, but he has a tradable contract and would be the most logical player to move on from for financial flexibility, especially if the team plans on keeping and developing Jarace Walker around for the long haul.
Another potential candidate to move on from the Pacers this offseason is T.J. McConnell. On the surface, trading McConnell makes little sense for Indiana. He is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, but he is already 33 years old and is one year into a four-year contract. Trading McConnell is far less likely than moving on from Toppin, especially since the Pacers do not have an immediate replacement, but he has value and may be a player to monitor in the offseason.
The Pacers should absolutely re-sign Turner this offseason as he is crucial to the team's success. However, doing so may signal the end of some other players in Indiana as the team aims to avoid paying the luxury tax.