Trading Myles Turner Makes Zero Sense for the Indiana Pacers
Source: Jeff Dean / Getty
It’s not NBA trade rumor season until Myles Turner’s name is thrown out as someone possibly available at the trade deadline.
While the idea of Indiana making him available does make sense, the current roster for Indiana does not. Thomas Bryant is the only center on the roster for the Indiana Pacers. Someone they acquired in December 15th. Bryant did impress in his one start for Turner with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
Something that Alex Golden has stated on his podcast, Setting The Pace, and on The Fan, is that Rick Carlisle, Chad Buchanan, and Kevin Pritchard don’t make trades just to make trades. A team that has been mentioned to having interest in Turner is the Los Angeles Lakers.
Besides LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have nobody of intrigue. Taking back Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino, or Jaxson Hayes.
What Turner brings to the Pacers is exactly what they need. A big that has the ability to space the floor, knock down a free-throw line jumper off of a screen, protect the rim, and be able defend opposing guards and wings. Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, and Karl-Anthony Towns are a select few that can do that. If Tyrese Haliburton didn’t have Turner, then it would result in more attention on Haliburton and make it more challenging for Pascal Siakam as well. Team’s would pack the paint and force Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, or another player to take a three.
When Indiana acquired Pascal Siakam last year, he stated that he was interested in playing with Turner. Those two have played well together because they can play off of one another. Additionally, Rick Carlisle just praised Turner on Saturday.
“I thought Myles Turner played a great game today. Did a lot of things you don’t see six-foot-eleven centers doing. Picking up full court, sprinting from end to end, busting over screens, busting over pick-and-roll screens when he’s guarding a guy who is seven-foot-four handling.” Carlisle following Indiana’s 136-98 win over San Antonio.
Carlisle would even later add Turner into the group of superstar players on this team with Haliburton and Siakam.
The only way I could see the front office trading Turner is that they know they can replace him with someone Walker Kessler, but he doesn’t space the floor like Turner can. That’s why it would be best to ride this season out with this group of players to see how far they can take you.