Myles Turner – Indiana Pacers
One player the Hornets have had their eyes on ever since he was drafted 11th overall in 2015 is Myles Turner. The Pacers’ big man is one of the best shot-blockers in the league and has led the league in blocked shots two of the last three seasons.
So far this season, Myles Turner is averaging 2.8 blocks per game, which leads the league once again. Given Turner’s impact defensively and that he can also contribute on offense, why would the Pacers want to give him up?
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Pacers are on the verge of a rebuild and they are not only listening to trade offers for Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert, but Myles Turner as well.
His impact is definitely felt on the defensive-side of the ball in Indiana, but Myles Turner really does not hold much of a role on offense for the Pacers and he himself seems to be frustrated with the way things have gone this season.
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“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. 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.”
The Pacers are currently 15-27 and seeing their playoff hopes fade away rapidly this season, which is why they will likely be “sellers” at the trade deadline. With Turner sounding like he already has one foot out the door, it would not be surprising to see the Pacers trade him since he has one more year left on his contract.
Leveraging PJ Washington and others in a trade package for Myles Turner would be highly advantageous to the Hornets because of how good Turner is defensively. He could wind up being the anchor for this team’s defense and with Charlotte needing a shot-blocker, Myles Turner could fit right in.
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Not to mention, he wants to be utilized more on offense and the Hornets could give him the opportunity to do so given how good LaMelo Ball is as a playmaker in pick-and-roll sets. Turner’s ability to step out on the perimeter makes him more of a threat than that of Mason Plumlee, opening things up for the Hornets’ offense as well.
