Myles Turner is seeking a contract worth $30 million-plus, but the Pacers are hesitant to meet that price
ARTCLE IS BEHIND PAYWALL
Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers | C | 6-11 | 28 | 10th season | Salary: $19.9 million (expiring)
Stats: 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 47.9 FG percent, 39.3 3PT percent, 31.1 minutes
If you were designing a big man to complement Davis, Turner would be about as close as it gets. He’s the rare 3-and-D center, joining the likes of Kristaps Porziņģis and Brook Lopez as 7-foot(ish) bigs who shoot an above-average percentage on a high volume of 3s while also credibly protecting the rim. Turner was nearly a Laker ahead of the 2022-23 season, when the LA was close with Indiana on a Russell Westbrook for Turner and Buddy Hield swap. The Lakers have long coveted him.
There are two hurdles with a Turner deal. First, it’s unclear how available he truly is. Given his impending free agency, there is a sense around the league Turner is sneakily gettable and can be had for the right price. He’s going to be seeking a contract starting in the $30-plus million range annually, and the Pacers aren’t sure if they want to pay him that much, according to league sources. That has to be factored into this equation if the Lakers trade for him. Second, the Pacers would likely need a center in return. They are not an organization that tanks, and giving up their starting center without getting another would likely cause them to take a step back in the East.
Like Kessler, Turner is a big who can complement Davis as a starter, man the paint when he’s off the floor and also step up into a larger role if Davis misses time. He’s worth at least one first-rounder and one asset (a swap or both seconds), if not arguably both firsts.
Myles Truner Player History:
Renegotiated 2022-23 and signed extension Monday, January 30, 2023.
Signed rookie scale extension Monday, October 15, 2018.
Pacers picked up 2018-19 option on Monday, August 21, 2017.
Pacers picked up 2017-18 option on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.
Signed rookie scale contract on July 13, 2015.
Drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the 1st round (11th pick) of the 2015 NBA Draft on June 25, 2015: