Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Myles Turner has long been one of the faces of the Indiana Pacers, anchoring their defense, spacing the floor and providing a steady leadership presence through the franchise’s various eras.
Turner will enter the upcoming offseason as an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year, $40.9 million fully guaranteed contract with the Pacers. He earned $19.9 million in 2024-25, the final year of that extension. As it stands, there is mutual interest between Turner and Indiana on a new contract, sources tell RG, but his impact will command a market of interested suitors.
The Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams interested in Turner ahead of free agency, sources tell RG, as both teams look to bolster their frontcourts.
Detroit and Atlanta Pitch Potential Fits
For Detroit, the opportunity to pair Turner with rising star Cade Cunningham is an enticing one. Turner would bring a shot-blocking presence capable of forming a dynamic defensive tandem with Ausar Thompson while offering the floor spacing to help unlock Cunningham’s ability to orchestrate in half-court sets. The Pistons ranked 14th in offensive rating and 10th in defensive rating last season, and adding a complementary piece like Turner could help accelerate their climb in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta is also monitoring Turner’s situation closely. The Hawks already feature Dyson Daniels in the backcourt, and Turner’s rim protection would allow Daniels to be even more aggressive in the passing lanes and at the point of attack. Atlanta finished in the bottom half of the league in both offense and defense last season, and improved spacing remains a priority — particularly with Jalen Johnson returning from a season-ending injury after a breakout campaign. If Zaccharie Risacher takes a second-year leap and further depth is added, Turner’s presence could help stabilize and elevate a Hawks team seeking to reestablish itself as a playoff contender.
Turner’s Legacy and the Pacers’ Financial Shift
Turner continued to be a central figure for Indiana during the 2024-25 season, both statistically and as a leader. He appeared in 72 regular-season games, averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 0.8 steals. He shot 48.1 percent from the field while maintaining his reputation as a stretch five with reliable three-point shooting.
In the playoffs, Turner raised his defensive impact even further. He played in 17 games during Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.3 blocks — providing elite rim protection in the highest-leverage moments.
Turner’s on-court synergy with Tyrese Haliburton has long been a staple of the Pacers’ offense, particularly in the pick-and-roll. But Turner’s fit with Pascal Siakam has also become a defining element of Indiana’s frontcourt identity. When the Pacers acquired Siakam in January 2024, the team built around the vision of combining Siakam’s versatile, attacking style with Turner’s floor spacing and shot-blocking.
Turner has also carved out a significant place in franchise history. He is Indiana’s all-time leader in total blocked shots, having surpassed Jermaine O’Neal in March with his 1,246th block. Turner has since pushed that mark well beyond 1,400 career blocks and also holds the Pacers’ single-season record for blocks per game, having led the league with 3.4 per game in 2020-21. He has led the NBA in blocks per game twice.
In addition, Turner ranks seventh in Pacers history in total points scored (9,031), sixth in total rebounds (4,349), fourth in three-pointers made (756) and sixth in games played (642). He has averaged double-figure points in every season of his Pacers career.
Pacers' Financial Landscape
The Pacers’ approach to Turner’s future will also be shaped by their evolving financial landscape. Indiana last paid the NBA luxury tax in 2005 and has incurred only about $8.9 million in tax penalties over three years since the system was implemented in 2001.
The franchise has one of the league’s longest active streaks without exceeding the tax threshold — a trend it extended this past season by ranking 18th in payroll and staying below the tax line even during its Finals run. However, after reaching the NBA Finals, Indiana now appears primed to enter the tax for the first time in nearly two decades as it looks to retain core pieces and solidify its roster for another deep postseason push.
Turner remains one of the NBA’s most coveted two-way centers, valued for his shot-blocking, floor spacing and leadership. While rebounding and post-up efficiency have remained areas of focus, Turner’s overall impact on both ends of the floor has made him a foundational piece of Indiana’s success — and a prime target for teams seeking to elevate their rosters this summer.
Whether in Indiana or elsewhere, Turner’s next contract will shape not only his own future but the trajectory of whichever team lands one of the league’s most impactful big men.
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Grant Afseth
