Why can't the Pacers sign Myles Turner to a contract extension?

INDIANAPOLIS -- Pacers center Myles Turner will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.

He signed a two-year contract extension in January of 2023 that also re-negotiated the final year of his previous contract. Only contracts that last three years or longer are extendable in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, making Turner an unrestricted free agent.

The NBA allows teams to begin negotiating with their own free agents at the end of the NBA Finals while other potential suitors have to wait until the NBA calendar turns over on June 30, so the Pacers have that head start to rely on, but they can't technically prevent him from entering free agency.

That means Turner will have the option to go elsewhere after 10 years with the Pacers, the team that drafted him out of Texas in 2015 when he was just 19 years old. He will make over $19.9 million this year after making just under $21 million last season and there's a good chance he'll command more next year. However, Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan indicated at his season-opening press conference in September that they are hopeful they'll be able to keep him on board and sign a new multi-year deal next summer.

Pacers news: Pacers hope to re-sign unrestricted FA Myles Turner next summer

Myles Turner stats

Myles Turner averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season. He appeared in 77 games, his most since 2016-17. Turner shot 35.8% on 4.2 3-pointers per game.

Myles Turner height, weight

Myles Turner is listed at 6-11, 250 pouinds.

Myles Turner salary

Myles Turner signed a two-year extension worth $40,903,500 prior to the 2023-24 season, according to spotrac.com. His salary for 2024-25 is $19,928,500. The extension added $17.1 million to his 2022-23 salary, paying him approximately $35.1 million that season.

Myles Turner age

Myles Turner is 28. He turns 29 on March 24, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Myles Turner: Why can't the Pacers sign him to a contract extension?