The Indiana Pacers have been playing like one of the best teams in the NBA as of late, and have seen them jump into the Eastern Conference standings. Despite a recent bad loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Paris, Indiana is one of the hottest teams in the entire league.
The team is poised to make a big splash ahead of the NBA trade deadline as they look to become strong contenders to win the title. However, it seems like some fancy tax issues could prevent Indiana from doing more than fans would like.
According to Clutch Points NBA insider Brett Siegel, Indiana is one of three teams that would like to remain under the luxury tax. Indiana was just under a million people below taxes and could do whatever it took to stay there.
“The Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks are three teams within $1.2 million of the luxury tax this season. All of these teams would like to stay below this mark.”
The Pacers have been linked to multiple players ahead of the trade deadline, with Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson being the biggest. For the Pacers to land Johnson, it would require multiple contracts, and Indiana doesn’t seem willing to go beyond the luxury tax.
The Pacers would feel like they’re the team that can win it all right now, especially given how well they’ve been playing lately. However, the Pacers may need another piece if they really want to contend with the other elite teams in the East.
Teams like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers are all difficult to beat come playoff time, so Indiana has tough choices. Star center Myles Turner will be a free agent at the end of the year, so the pacer will also have to decide what to do with him.
The team would like to keep him, but there’s no guarantee he’ll return once he hits free agency. With the chance for him to depart, Indiana could consider bringing in another big man to take over for him next season.
The front office has some tough decisions to make, but we’ll soon learn how serious they are about winning this season.
More Pacers:
Pacers linked to $220 million ahead of trade deadline
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton talks about Caitlin Clark’s influence on basketball
Pacers have an epic fashion week in Paris vs. Spurs
For more Pacers news, check out SI’s Indiana Pacers
