Can the Pacers stay below the tax in 2025-26??

basketballwacko2 · Post #1 » by **basketballwacko2** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 3:40 pm

Big question is it possible? They have to resign Turner he's gonna want $30 million or more. That puts them in the tax. Do you trade someone to stay out of the tax because the rebate is going to be substantial for non tax teams.

Does this epic run to the finals game 7 make the team more likely to pay tax next season? IF they win the title will they say let's go for it and pay the tax next season?

IF they are trading someone who will it be? I'd say Mathurin has the most value, they won't have to pay to move him and could get a #1 pick back. I don't want to move him but if they move Obi Toppin they'll likely have to add something to him.

I'm kinda leaning toward signing Turner to what ever it takes and being in the tax but under the 1st apron.

basketballwacko2 · Post #2 » by **basketballwacko2** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 3:42 pm

It looks like the tax kicks in at $187.9 million for 2025-26.

AussiePacer · Post #3 » by **AussiePacer** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:09 pm

I don’t know enough but is Turner a $30m player? I definitely want to keep him and am not proposing we try to pay unders, just uncertain if that’s the market rate.

His playoffs have been “ok” but I’m underwhelmed on the offensive end. He is who he is at this point - there’s not upside, however he fits in our system well and even when his shot isn’t falling he can find ways / moments to influence outcomes.

AussiePacer · Post #4 » by **AussiePacer** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:11 pm

On your broader Q: don’t think the owners will be too worried about re-grouping for next season, however some flexibility to re-tool after that is smart subject to how we and the trends of the game go.

We’ve got a good core we can continue to build around - with some friendly contracts and players with upside who might hold value.

Will await some of those with more knowledge than me to share views!

GermanFan120 · Post #5 » by **GermanFan120** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 1:10 am

As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Wizop · Post #6 » by **Wizop** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 9:07 pm

I think we pay Turner 30ish and pay tax unless someone offers him 40ish. I'm willing to listen to offers for Mathurin but I think we keep him.

Wizop · Post #7 » by **Wizop** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 1:42 am

If Ty is out for a year, do we still want to pay tax?

Wizop · Post #8 » by **Wizop** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:40 am

Trade Siakam if Ty is out for the year????

Post #9 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:43 am

Wizop wrote:If Ty is out for a year, do we still want to pay tax?

My first hunch is that Obi is moved for space. Give Walker/Furphy/Freeman a year to develop and backfill the 3/4 spots with Nesmith firmly taking the starter spot. They and avoid the tax for one more year while Hali recovers.

ButterflyRave · Post #10 » by **ButterflyRave** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:55 am

GermanFan120 wrote:As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Agreed. His lack of confidence was jarring.

ButterflyRave · Post #11 » by **ButterflyRave** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 2:58 am

Wizop wrote:If Ty is out for a year, do we still want to pay tax?

Please no. Trade Obi (even though he has been great, might need to attach a pick bc of his salary) into space or Mathurin/jarrace for picks, or less likely let Myles go in a sign and trade. You can’t pay the tax while Hali is hurt.

Post #12 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:10 am

ButterflyRave wrote:
GermanFan120 wrote:As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Agreed. His lack of confidence was jarring.

Gotta disagree. His shot was off for sure, but the man almost literally erased Chet and Hartenstein for 6 games. His defense was tremendous, and even if he wasn’t pulling rebounds himself, he was boxing out and tipping rebounds to teammates. He wasn’t grabbing stats, but he was playing winning basketball.

ButterflyRave · Post #13 » by **ButterflyRave** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:17 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:
ButterflyRave wrote:
GermanFan120 wrote:As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Agreed. His lack of confidence was jarring.

Gotta disagree. His shot was off for sure, but the man almost literally erased Chet and Hartenstein for 6 games. His defense was tremendous, and even if he wasn’t pulling rebounds himself, he was boxing out and tipping rebounds to teammates. He wasn’t grabbing stats, but he was playing winning basketball.

I want to rewatch tonight’s game and count how many open shots he passed up. In the first half, it felt like 3 or 4 to me. You cannot pass up open shots against this team.

basketballwacko2 · Post #14 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:19 am

AussiePacer wrote:I don’t know enough but is Turner a $30m player? I definitely want to keep him and am not proposing we try to pay unders, just uncertain if that’s the market rate.

His playoffs have been “ok” but I’m underwhelmed on the offensive end. He is who he is at this point - there’s not upside, however he fits in our system well and even when his shot isn’t falling he can find ways / moments to influence outcomes.

Allen got $30 million from the Cavs and he shoots no 3s and blocks fewer shots.

basketballwacko2 · Post #15 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:21 am

GermanFan120 wrote:As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Yeah he did not play well in the finals. Could be a sign and trade coming up there are only 2 teams with enough money to sign him one is Detroit and the other Brooklyn.

basketballwacko2 · Post #16 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:23 am

Wizop wrote:Trade Siakam if Ty is out for the year????

Now I wish they'd just kept him out the last 2 games, this injury is horrible he misses the season if it's a blown Achilles. No way they pay tax. Trading Siakam now might be the best move and sign and trade for Turner, get a reboot.

basketballwacko2 · Post #17 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:27 am

Didn't this happen to KD a few years ago where he has a sore calf and ended up with a ruptured Achilles?

Post #18 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 4:23 am

ButterflyRave wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:
ButterflyRave wrote:
Agreed. His lack of confidence was jarring.

Gotta disagree. His shot was off for sure, but the man almost literally erased Chet and Hartenstein for 6 games. His defense was tremendous, and even if he wasn’t pulling rebounds himself, he was boxing out and tipping rebounds to teammates. He wasn’t grabbing stats, but he was playing winning basketball.

I want to rewatch tonight’s game and count how many open shots he passed up. In the first half, it felt like 3 or 4 to me. You cannot pass up open shots against this team.

They were talking about the series. You are solely talking about game 7?

But yes. His shot was off.

Pacers Forever · Post #19 » by **Pacers Forever** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:10 am

AI says while the exact timeline is not yet known, it is expected that Tyrese will miss the beginning of the 2025-26 season, and potentially more time beyond that. Recovery from a torn Achilles typically takes 8-10 months, which would put him back on the court around late February of next year at the earliest.

With this in mind no way tax will be paid for a probable non playoff team next season. I cannot see Siakam or Mathurin traded. It’s a no brainer that Nembhard is safe and TJ will most likely be back as point guard depth is now very compromised. I know we have Quenton Jax and Ray J.

However Toppin, Nesmith, and Turner are fair game to be moved to avoid tax and reconstruct the roster. I don’t know if there’s anyone they can acquire to replace Turner but that’s way above my pay level :lol:

Our rebounding must improve.

I really like Obi and think he can score, hit 3’s, rebound, play above the rim, and run the court. However Obi has shown me that he’s just not capable of being consistent in those needed roles. It’s sad that Obi has to be used at times as a 5 due to lack of quality depth.

Aaron Nesmith is an athletic dog and he puts so much effort into trying to guard players bigger than him. He struggles with players taller than him and if he’s up against guards they seem to get past him. Offensively he’s got the ability to knock down 3’s. However he’s not very good driving to the bucket. I’m really torn on if playing him as a starting forward is a liability towards the Pacers getting out rebounded. I’m torn about losing his toughness but is his defense so good that he’s kept and there’s no replacement ? I’d love the taller lankier Jarace to take his place but he’s got to get aggressive defensively and mentally instead of just calmly and coolly gliding up and down the court.

As for the rest of the roster obviously the 5 position has to be addressed this offseason. Rebuilding again or tanking IDK what ever happens Godspeed Tyrese and the front office.

JMaster5K · Post #20 » by **JMaster5K** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:11 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:
ButterflyRave wrote:
GermanFan120 wrote:As much as I like Turner, his performance in the final has been subpar.

Agreed. His lack of confidence was jarring.

Gotta disagree. His shot was off for sure, but the man almost literally erased Chet and Hartenstein for 6 games. His defense was tremendous, and even if he wasn’t pulling rebounds himself, he was boxing out and tipping rebounds to teammates. He wasn’t grabbing stats, but he was playing winning basketball.

Agreed! Myles has been doing what he's been asked to do in each match up. Yeah,.. he has bad games once in a while,... but so does everyone else, Tyrese included. If you scan the other true 5's in this league that can play this style of game on both ends?.... who do you get to replace him?.... at what cost?.....

I think there are still areas that Myles can continue to grow his game & make an even bigger difference,... but without Myles this year,... we aren't a playoff team. Pascal wanted to play here specifically because of his front court fit with Myles.

Can he be a better rebounder?... Yes,... but is he now busting his butt to try?... yes. He needs to get a better at his first step,... quicker,... better at reading rebounds,... but his reading the floor on both offense & defense,.. getting to the right spots for the team,... is the best it's ever been.

If Tyrese is out next season (likely so), and we aren't a tanking team,... then resigning Myles becomes even more important for 25-26 than it already was.

I'm for keeping Myles,... it is possible (with other moves) to do so without getting into the tax,... but I'm not sure I'm that much worried about it? For me,... if it's a 4 year 120MM contract,... with 8% raises, that number for 25-26 is $26,785,715. That is very workable in our current cap sheet. I've joking said it, but really do mean it,... In Wu we trust.