One of the names mentioned most frequently during the offseason in NBA trade rumors was Indiana Pacers center, Myles Turner. It was revealed that the Pacers have been looking to trade Turner for two years now and rumors would likely swirly surrounding him again throughout the 2021-22 season.
Now nine games into the season, the Pacers are lucky they didn’t deal him. The trade rumors must have motivated Turner, as he is in the midst of what could be the best season of his career.
Turner is supplying career-high numbers in multiple categories. The 14.6 points on 40.9 percent shooting from 3-point territory, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.4 fouls per game would all be career bests for Turner.
Against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, he was an integral part of the team’s victory. Turner knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers en route to a 25-point game. He pulled down 13 rebounds to go along with two assists, one steal, and three blocks in 29 minutes of play.
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Caris LeVert spoke highly of Turner’s performance after the game, noting they may not have pulled this one off without his impact on both ends of the court.
“Myles was huge for us,” LeVert said. “He had three blocks, guarding different guys on the switch. I don’t know if we play that well or win that game without Myles.”
Head coach Rick Carlisle also praised the work that Turner has done. He knows people are clamoring that Turner should get more opportunities with some of his big scoring games, but said Turner is fitting in perfectly with what they need him to do.
“Let’s get off the whole Myles involved thing,” Carlisle said. “Myles is really getting into a groove with how he fits into what we do as a team. Don’t make a big deal just because he scores a bunch of points. That’s not what our team is about.
“It’s about balance. It’s about doing your job. Every night his job is to step into open shots, whether they’re 3s, whether they’re 2s, whatever.”
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Just a few weeks ago, it seemed as if Myles Turner would assuredly be on the move. Now, that no longer seems to be the case.
He is an integral part of what the Indiana Pacers are looking to do. As the team gets healthier, they are going to be a group that no one wants to overlook in the Eastern Conference.
