One of the more pleasant surprises in the NBA thus far this season has been the play of the Indiana Pacers. They are currently 15-14 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, only a half-game behind the New York Knicks who are in sixth and the last team outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Indiana came into the season looking like a team that was clearly in a rebuild, but their plans may be changing on the fly. What they decide to do with center Myles Turner will certainly be telling about what their plans are.
Turner has been on the trade block for years, but they may be recommitting to him now. He is in the midst of a career season, thriving alongside Tyrese Haliburton, who was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in the Domantas Sabonis blockbuster ahead of the trade deadline in February.
Indiana reportedly had a high asking price for Turner but had he not injured his foot before the deadline, there is a strong chance he would have been on the move. Averaging a career-high 17.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with 1.5 assists and 2.3 blocks, Turner’s value is only increasing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner & Indiana Pacers Updates
As shared by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, there are plenty of teams still showing interest in Turner. If the Pacers get an offer they like, they will have a very difficult decision to make.
“That may lead to a recommitment to Turner, who will be a free agent this summer. Still, plenty of teams have interest if the Pacers change course, including the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and Golden State Warriors.
Indiana may focus more on making the playoffs, but other teams have eyes on Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell.”
If the Pacers are intent on competing for a playoff spot, Turner will be held onto through the deadline. He is a very important piece of the puzzle for them, and ownership has always hesitated about going into a full teardown like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Houston Rockets.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner & Indiana Pacers Updates
If that is the case, Indiana could become surprise buyers ahead of the deadline. They have the assets to pull off a deal from all of the veterans they have traded in the last year should the opportunity arise. They are certainly a franchise to keep an eye on as they can shift the landscape of the league regardless of being buyers or sellers.
