Indiana Pacers: Biggest Questions for 2022-23

We continue our series looking at the biggest questions facing teams across the NBA as we get closer to training camp. 

For the Indiana Pacers, pretty much everything is really a huge question mark, as the team continues its rebuild from the ground up. The only certainties are that Tyrese Haliburton is the main man they're building around, with this year's first-rounder Bennedict Mathurin hopefully being the other big piece. That should be a backcourt to be reckoned with.

Big Question #1: How long will Myles Turner and Buddy Hield remain Pacers?

Center Myles Turner has seemingly been on the trade block for years now, and with the accelerated pace of the rebuild, and Turner entering free agency after the season, many still feel he'll be on the move sooner rather than later. There have been rumblings of a deal sending Turner and Hield to the Los Angeles Lakers all offseason. But so far, the Lakers have refused to budge on the draft pick compensation. 

“So, I just keep coming back to Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. And I can tell you, almost one hundred percent sure, it’s taking both first round picks to even get the Pacers to have a meeting about it …”

- Zach Lowe on potential Lakers trades on his most recent podcast episode

— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) September 9, 2022

The one caveat here is that earlier in the offseason, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan stated that the team is not shopping Turner. 

Will Turner still be the Pacers' center of the future? 

Big Question #2: How will the Pacers add $18M in salary?

Tanking and rebuilding is one thing, but according to the collective bargaining agreement, every NBA team has to field some sort of competitive roster. The payroll floor ensures that. 

The Indiana Pacers payroll is currently around 93 million.

By CBA rules they are required to spend at least 111 million.

Have an incredible day everyone.

— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) September 8, 2022

With the Pacers' payroll sitting at around $93M, they need to add about $18M to get to the floor of $111M.  Do we hear a Russell Westbrook trade in the offing? His expiring $47 mill (minus the salary that would head back to LA) could get the Pacers over the hump...

The Pacers should be an interesting follow as we head into the season, and once again, at the trade deadline. 

Photos: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports, Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports