Pacers will face a difficult financial dilemma sooner rather than later

If the Pacers want to be title contenders for the long haul, they must be willing to pay the luxury tax for the first time in two decades.

Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. | Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesThe Indiana Pacers haven't paid the luxury tax in 20 years. But if they want to be title contenders for the long run, they have to be willing to change that philosophy.

Last offseason, there was a lot of talk about whether the Pacers would be willing to pay the luxury tax to bring Myles Turner back in free agency. The jury is still out on what exactly happened, but fans may have gotten their answer when…