There’s probably nobody in central Indiana who wants to think about it during the NBA Finals. Still, it’s a topic that the Indiana Pacers certainly will have to address in the immediate future pertaining to their roster.
The annual free-for-all known as free agency is once again upon every team and the Pacers definitely have some important financial decisions to make pertaining to Myles Turner.
In a perfect world, the ten-year veteran who is still shy of his thirtieth birthday would sign a long-term, fully guaranteed contract with the Pacers, but in reality, there are a number of things both parties must consider before a big contract that prohibits a zip code change is tendered and signed by him.
First and foremost, there are a number of suitors for Turner, and they are prepared to pay him handsomely and rather quickly to leave the Pacers and the only hoops home he has ever known. While teams generally overpay players in the NBA free agency process, there is a definite shortage of big men who can shoot the three and provide the coveted rim protection to boot.
Some will argue that he’s expendable and not worth a contract that will put the Pacers into luxury tax payments tied to exceeding the salary cap, but don’t blame that on Turner. Free agency is business, and it’s about to get real good for him.
Then there’s the reality that his current employer owes a lot of money to Tyrese Halliburton and Pascal Siakam and can’t mortgage off their future any further to maintain the flexibility they currently enjoy as it relates to the dreaded NBA salary cap.
Yes, he has the innate ability to disappear from the box score in terms of rebounding and he’s not a particularly physical player (kind word for it) but despite all that, he’s been a factor the last two seasons in terms of Indiana’s playoff run and he’s a rock-solid citizen off the court.
If you allow yourself to get outbid for his services, who is going to replace him tomorrow?
No matter how these ongoing NBA Finals conclude, Turner remains a hot commodity and one that will have some options.
Will the familiarity of this franchise and his desire to retire someday as a Pacer mean more than the increased dollars he can garner elsewhere? Only Turner himself can answer that question but for what it’s worth, he needs to do what’s best for his family and career. You owe the Pacers nothing, but they have been patient in terms of your career. They’ve also paid you a lot of money to date.
The question is, what will it cost the Pacers to keep you around for a few more seasons and chase their first NBA Championship?
Some say the window of opportunity is still open, and then some say it’s simply a bit ajar, but either way, it’s about to get really interesting for Myles Turner. There’s no reason for him to really worry as he soon will be quite a bit richer, no matter where he decides to play next year.
Good luck young man and don’t let anyone tell you what’s best for you. It’s your decision and no one else’s. This will be your last chance to break the bank open so do it while you can and don’t apologize to anyone for the decision you are about to make.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Turner should follow his balance sheet and not his heart, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
