It was recently revealed in NBA trade rumors that the Indiana Pacers are open to rebuilding, which could bring about some major changes to their roster. One of the players that were mentioned as possibly being on the move is starting center Myles Turner.
Trade rumors are nothing new to Turner. He has been on the trade block for years as the organization went back and forth about whether or not to break up their jumbo frontcourt pairing of Turner and Domantas Sabonis. They have gotten close in the past, but it seems like that is something they are now ready to do so that they can rebuild.
Turner is in the midst of the best shooting season of his career, making 53.1 percent of his shot attempts overall and 39.7 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Turner provides floor-spacing offensively and has improved as a rebounder. He is pulling down 7.3 per game in only 29.4 minutes. The Texas product provides elite rim protection as well as he is leading the NBA with 2.8 blocks per game.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Pacers’ Myles Turner At Trade Deadline
There is a good chance that of the players mentioned as being available that Turner would garner the most interest. And it sounds like Turner is about ready for the next chapter in his career as he wants a chance to showcase more of what he can do.
“It’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity,” Turner told The Athletic Tuesday. “I’m trying really hard to make the role that I’m given here work and find a way to maximize it. I’ve been trying to the past two, three seasons. But it’s clear to me that, just numbers-wise, I’m not valued as more than a rotational role player, and I hold myself in a higher regard than that.”
Myles Turner has earned a bigger role, especially offensively. He has been labeled as a floor-stretching big, but he is capable of doing a lot more than what the Indiana Pacers have asked. His ball-handling skills are solid for a center as he can get to the rim off the bounce following a pump fake.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Pacers’ Myles Turner At Trade Deadline
With so much of the offense being run through Sabonis, Turner was relegated to standing around the 3-point line more often than not. But, when provided the chance to be a bigger part of the offense, he has taken advantage.
“I’ve been given many roles in the years that I’ve been here, and I feel like I’ve been able to produce at a high level in the roles I’ve been given,” Turner said. “I’ve shown that I can do the things they ask me to do, and I think it’s time to put that all together and be a more prominent night-in, night-out guy on the offensive side of the ball instead of someone who is asked to be a floor spacer and hide in the shadows.”
There are numerous teams in the NBA that would love to have Turner on their team. He has an affordable contract, signed through 2023 at only $18 million.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Pacers’ Myles Turner At Trade Deadline
The Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are three teams to keep an eye on when it comes to Turner if the Indiana Pacers were to move him. All four could be in the market for a chance at the center position and Myles Turner’s Unicorn skill set would do wonders for each of them.
