The Indiana Pacers made a lot of changes at the NBA trade deadline between moving Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert among others. With Tyrese Haliburton now the franchise cornerstone, the focus is on building a fitting team around him. Where does Myles Turner fit?
The original expectation ahead of the NBA trade deadline was that Turner would be moved via trade. Instead, he was sidelined due to a stress reaction in his foot — scaring off potential trade suitors who needed him for the stretch run of the season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Indiana Pacers want to keep Myles Turner and will need to decide between giving him a contract extension or moving him in a trade.
“It was assumed for much of the season that Myles Turner would be the big man traded away rather than the All-Star Sabonis. Indiana must now decide whether to extend Turner’s contract or resume a trade push; league sources indicate that Indiana, as it heads into an early summer, wants to keep Turner.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Potential Trade Packages To Send Myles Turner To Lakers
It’s difficult to put too much stock into the long-term plans of a team that doesn’t yet know who they will be picking with an early pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, let alone their positioning. However, at this time, it does make sense for the Pacers to retain Turner.
The elite rim protection Turner brings to the table is not easy to find. Couple that with his improved perimeter game — between putting the ball on the floor to get to the rim in addition to shooting — Turner’s skill-set is all the rarer.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Potential Trade Packages To Send Myles Turner To Lakers
There is a chance Rudy Gobert becomes available in NBA trade talks in the offseason depending on how the Utah Jazz ends their season. If both Gobert and Myles Turner become available, a lot of teams seeking a rim protector will be looking to make trade offers.
