The Indiana Pacers finished the 2024-25 NBA season just one win away from an NBA championship. Unfortunately, Tyrese Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Pacers simply didn't have enough to pull out a win.
Heading into free agency, it was widely expected that Indiana would keep its core intact. Most reports suggested that the Pacers were willing to go into the luxury tax to keep longtime starting center Myles Turner.
That did not end up being the case.
On Tuesday, the news broke that Turner had signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks.
Needless to say, that news shocked the fans in Indiana. After years of trade rumors surrounding Turner and the Pacers holding onto him, the center left town the second he was actually expected to stay on a lucrative long-term deal.
Following Turner's departure, Indiana is left with a major hole in its starting lineup. The front office will need to find a replacement at the center position.
To that end, the Pacers are already showing interest in one potential replacement.
According to a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, Indiana has registered interest in free agent big man Deandre Ayton. He was bought out recently by the Portland Trail Blazers, although the Los Angeles Lakers are considered by most to be the front-runner to sign him.
As noted by Fischer, Ayton and the Pacers previously agreed to a four-year, $133 million offer sheet a few years back. At the time, the Phoenix Suns chose to match the contract offer sheet, blocking Indiana from signing Ayton.
"Sources say that the Pacers have, however, registered interest in Ayton," Fischer wrote. "Don't forget that the contract Ayton just terminated through his Blazers buyout was a four-year, $133 offer sheet that he originally signed with Indiana in July 2022 as a Phoenix Suns restricted free agent."
While the Pacers are interested, Fischer did say that the Lakers remain the front-runner.
"The safest forecast remains that Ayton winds up a Laker after clearing waivers."
Ayton is scheduled to clear waivers on Wednesday evening. Indiana fans could have an answer to that question later on this evening.
Only time will tell, but Ayton would be a very intriguing pickup for the Pacers. He's a much better rebounder than Turner, although he can't stretch the floor as well and isn't nearly as polished offensively.
Expect to hear more on Ayton and Indiana in the near future.
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