Pacers future financials at a glance

[Cubs231721]

Lots of questions about contracts and how much money the Pacers have going forward to pay their young players, so I thought I would give a quick glance at the Pacers financials going forward:

2025-2026

11 players under contract (10 if the Pacers decline Nembhard's option, which they would do as either part of an extension or to make him an RFA)

Key Free Agents: Turner, McConnell, Jackson, possibly Nembhard (RFA)

52.2 million in room until the first apron
64.1 million in room until the second apron.

2026-2027

7 players currently under contract

Key Free Agents: Mathurin (RFA), Nembhard (if they make him a UFA)

76.1 million in room until the first apron
89.2 million in room until the second apron

2027-2028

4 players currently under contract

Key Free Agents: Nesmith, Walker (RFA), Sheppard (RFA)

114.3 million in room until the first apron
128.7 million in room until the second apron

[Cubs231721]

If they choose to pay Nembhard early, something will have to give as early as next year If Nembhard gets 18 million in an extension/RFA contract, that probably leaves only 40 or so (have to leave a few million back for draft pick and the rest of the roster) for Turner/Jackson/McConnell. There's almost no way they get all three back, and depending on Turner's price getting him and one of the backups back may be difficult.

If they do pay 60 in long-term deals next year, that leaves them with less than 30 to pay Mathurin the next year. Not enough if he works out like you hope, so the Pacers would have to start cost cutting here. But that's a good problem to have if Mathurin is truly worth 30+.

And if they found a way to pay Mathurin, less than 40 the next year for Nesmith, Walker, and Sheppard. Maybe a little more because if they chose to pay Turner and McConnell above, McConnell may be retiring by now. I also think they will likely be able to dump Toppin into somebody's MLE if they need to also.

It seems likely that they will need to either 1) get rid of Turner and go with low cost options at center or 2) trade one of Mathurin, Nembhard, and Nesmith (preferably one of the first two for cap reasons) for a draft pick and reset the clock. Potentially both, but I think they could get by with one.

[712Jefferson]

Thanks for keeping on top of this, cubs, as always. Personally, I think the obvious answer (or, at least, part of it) is to not resign Myles the following year after his current contract expires and use the money that frees up in whatever manner makes the most sense at the time. I actually kinda like Myles and give him a lot of credit for the growth and general reliability he showed last season, including some really big performances in our postseason run. However, I see fan boys on Twitter already talking about giving him 30 mil per year/crazy numbers like that on his next deal and I just want no part of that. Imo, in the modern NBA, it's not feasible to give big contracts to centers unless they're generational talents like Jokic, Wemby, etc... or, at the very least, legitimate perennial all-stars and Myles, despite his notable growth, will never be among that caliber of player. We could absorb giving him that fat extension a year and a half ago, but that needs to be the last one. We will need the money to spend on our young players. Much easier to make a Finals run in this league with a cheap frontcourt of young and/or journeyman bigs (see, the Dallas Mavericks this season) than a roster with above average bigs making substantial money.

[DrFife]

Thanks for keeping on top of this, cubs, as always. Personally, I think the obvious answer (or, at least, part of it) is to not resign Myles the following year after his current contract expires and use the money that frees up in whatever manner makes the most sense at the time.

Mathurin = talent. Nesmith = value. Nembhard (and TJM) = identity. If Mathurin doesn't take another jump, perhaps he'll be featured in a trade. Else, methinks they all stay.

Outrageous idea #1: Offer Myles a 5-year (!) contract at $20M/yr. The Pacers version of the Jalen Brunson "take less" decision.
Outrageous idea #2: Herb says, "F*** it. We're paying the tax until either I croak or we win a championship. Plus, it'll get some of those PD gripers off my a**."

[Cubs231721]

Is this with projected annual increases in the cap levels or just with the current?

With the projected increases.

[stew]

So in theory, to keep the current players we are looking at something like this: (per year)
1. Nembhard - 18 mil
2. turner - 20 mil
3. Jackson - 10 mil
4. Tj. - 9 mil
5. Draft pick - 2 mil
6. Math - 30 mil

[MyFavMartin]

So in theory, to keep the current players we are looking at something like this: (per year)
1. Nembhard - 18 mil
2. turner - 20 mil
3. Jackson - 10 mil
4. Tj. - 9 mil
5. Draft pick - 2 mil
6. Math - 30 mil

I think Myles will command 25 comp to Bam (34), Porzingis (30), and Poehtl (20).

I agree that IJax should be about 10 based on comp to a lesser Naz Reid.

TJ 8-9 based on stats and contract like Peyton Pritchard.

any suggestions on who Nembhard comps to that has signed a recent extension?

[CableKC]

I'm looking to re-sign all the young Players ( Nembhard and Mathurin ) for the long term. To pay for it, I'd look to trade Turner to clear the needed cap space and maybe get some low tier assets. I'd rather get a halfway decent regular Center that can rebound and defend than re-sign Turner for the long term. He's not worth it IMHO given his regression on defense.

Turner isn't worth more than $20 mil a year for the long term. But my guess is that he is going to want more, some team will offer him slightly more than that ( probably $25 mil or more a year ) and I'm perfectly fine with letting him go for that price.

[able]

I'm looking to re-sign all the young Players ( Nembhard and Mathurin ) for the long term. To pay for it, I'd look to trade Turner to clear the needed cap space and maybe get some low tier assets. I'd rather get a halfway decent regular Center that can rebound and defend than re-sign Turner for the long term. He's not worth it IMHO given his regression on defense.

Turner isn't worth more than $20 mil a year for the long term. But my guess is that he is going to want more, some team will offer him slightly more than that ( probably $25 mil or more a year ) and I'm perfectly fine with letting him go for that price.

Stop getting my hopes up!

[Dece]

Y'all are trying to give Myles' money away. Already told you he's getting 5Y $150M, and that's probably low end. Say goodbye to the rest of those guys.

[dal9]

Y'all are trying to give Myles' money away. Already told you he's getting 5Y $150M, and that's probably low end. Say goodbye to the rest of those guys.

[712Jefferson]

Y'all are trying to give Myles' money away. Already told you he's getting 5Y $150M, and that's probably low end. Say goodbye to the rest of those guys.

I will never forgive you for speaking it into existence if/when it actually happens.

[able]

is insanity contageous ??? if ANYONE wants to offer Myles that kind of contract, I will sacrifice my 1st born for it to be ANOTHER team!

[Dece]

I will never forgive you for speaking it into existence if/when it actually happens.

[Dece]

3Y $59M extension for Nembhard

https://x.com/wojespn/status/1816096386485465595