During his weekly radio appearance on 107.5 The Fan Tuesday morning, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed that re-signing Myles Turner remains the team’s highest priority despite the setback of losing Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon. The injury to Haliburton, sustained in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, may keep him sidelined for an entire season and create challenges for the Pacers in maintaining competitiveness next year. Nevertheless, Carlisle stressed that the organization’s focus on Turner has not wavered.
Franchise’s Plan to Retain Turner Unchanged Despite Setback
Reports have circulated that Pacers owner Herb Simon is prepared to exceed the luxury tax threshold if necessary to secure a new deal with Turner. Although Haliburton’s injury cast doubt on Indiana’s near-term outlook, Carlisle made clear the importance of Turner remains central to future plans.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that the franchise, at this particular moment, that that is the No. 1 priority,”
Carlisle said. He added,
“I don’t know anything about money or numbers or years, or any of that kind of stuff, but Myles is a very important part of what we’ve done here, what we’ve been doing. He’s a very important part of the history of the franchise, certainly over the last decade. I know that will be a big topic. I’m not privy to every little conversation going on there, but Myles is a very important part of what we’re doing. That will be a big thing.”
—Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach
Turner’s Role and Contract Status With the Pacers
Myles Turner is the longest-tenured player currently on the Pacers roster, having been with the team for ten years after being selected 11th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. In the final year of a two-year contract extension, Turner earned nearly $20 million last season and is expected to command an even higher salary — potentially exceeding $10 million annually — in his next agreement. While no official contract extension can be executed before free agency starts, which opens this Monday, the Pacers are now able to engage in negotiations following the conclusion of the NBA Finals.
Interest from Other Teams and Turner’s Performance
Outside the Pacers, teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons have shown significant interest in Turner should he enter free agency. Nevertheless, Turner’s strong performance this past season solidifies his value. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game over 72 games, ranking third in the league with 144 total blocks. Turner also improved his shooting, hitting a career-best 39.6% from three-point range and setting a personal record with 156 made triples.
Long-Term Impact if Turner Re-Signs with Indiana
If the Pacers succeed in retaining Turner, all five of their key playoff starters will remain under contract through the 2026-27 season, providing the team with stability as it rebuilds following Haliburton’s injury. This continuity could be crucial as Indiana navigates potential challenges in the upcoming season and seeks to remain competitive in a demanding Eastern Conference.