The Indiana Pacers have struggled to achieve much success since trading Victor Oladipo in part of the four-team blockbuster deal that was headlined by James Harden. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, could the Pacers look to shake up their roster by moving Myles Turner?
According to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star, the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Hornets, and Pelicans are among the teams who have explored whether the Pacers would be be willing to trade Myles Turner.
“With the trade deadline nine days away, Myles Turner’s name will inevitably come up when it comes to teams who have interest in him. There are more than a few. The New York Knicks, L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among those who have explored whether the Pacers are willing to part with the league’s leading shot-blocker, league sources tell IndyStar.”
The Pacers face a tough issue that will require a decision at some point. Myles Turner is what keeps their otherwise underwhelming defense together. Without him, their rim protection would become non-existent and they already lack the on-ball defense to get by without that.
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Meanwhile, Turner provides needed spacing for the Pacers’ half-court offense and has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor. That’s not easy to find at the center position.
If the Pacers were to try to find a potential replacement for Turner, they’d be losing something sorely needed at some point. There would be an automatic decline rim protection, especially since Indiana likely be intending to slot Domantas Sabonis at center, which would be a dramatic decline in this area.
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With Domantas Sabonis at the center position, the Pacers would need to go completely in on an offense-heavy building strategy. Without an elite offensive threat on the perimeter there just isn’t enough firepower for the Pacers to succeed doing this strategy.
There is plenty to like about the fit for Myles Turner with any of the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Hornets, and Pelicans. They each could strongly benefit from adding a five with length that is an elite rim protector who can be a play finisher inside, knock down jump shots, and put the ball on the floor to get to the rim.
