NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers ‘Not Sure They Want to’ Pay Myles Turner $30M+ Contract | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly hesitant about giving their veteran center a big extension this offseason.

Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Myles Turner’s future with the Pacers could be in question due to his impending free agency and a potential disconnect in contract talks.

“It’s specifically just a basic contract situation of he is about to be an unrestricted free agent and he’s going to want $30-plus million and I’ve heard Indiana is not sure if they want to give him $30-plus million,” Buha said on his YouTube channel on Saturday (40:00 mark). “If they don’t, then from an asset management perspective, it makes sense to trade him and get something back for him.”

Buha also noted earlier this week that he’s heard “a little bit of chatter” about the Pacers’ willingness to trade Turner.

Turner, a 10-year veteran who has played his entire career with Indiana, is in the final season of a two-year, $58 million extension he signed in 2023. While some of his numbers have trailed off, he’s still been great for the Pacers, putting up 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, the fifth-best mark in the league.

A handful of teams would likely put in an offer for Turner if he were to become available, and the Los Angeles Lakers would presumably be among the interested squads. Los Angeles is on the cusp of being a contender but is likely at least one move away. Earlier this week, Lakers star Anthony Davis said that move should be adding to the frontcourt.

“I think we need another big,” Davis told ESPN’s Shams Charania. “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the 4, having a big out there.”

It might be tough to land Turner given that the Lakers don’t have much trade capital, but putting the big man next to Davis and LeBron James would make Los Angeles a team to watch in the Western Conference.