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Formality fulfilled: Pacers pick up fourth-year option for Myles Turner

By Hunter Kuffel

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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According to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports, the Pacers have picked up Myles Turner’s fourth-year option because of course they did.

We interrupt your Monday to bring you the most significant news in Pacers history: Kevin Pritchard & Co. have decided to pick up Myles Turner’s fourth-year option, per Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports.

This was, of course, a formality to end all formalities. Turner is already worth way more than his rookie scale contract dictates he be paid, and it would require never-before-seen levels of stupidity not to bring him back for a fourth year of rookie money.

As a result, Turner will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019, meaning the other 29 teams in the league will be able to extend offer sheets to him, but the Pacers will have the right to match any offer made.

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Turner is the best player on the team heading into his third season, but due to the rookie scale, he has the ninth highest salary on the roster. That will change in two years of course, since Turner is on track to be a no-question max player, provided no freak injuries derail things between now and then.

Last season, Turner averaged 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game, and further solidified himself as a budding two-way star. His combination of floor spacing and shot blocking place him in a special class of young bigs across the league, with guys like Kristaps Porzingis, Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns as company.

Turner needs to improve his ball-handling and interior defense to really earn his place among the above names, but if the first two preseason games are any indication, he’s primed for a monster year.

Next: The Pacers are letting it fly from deep

The Pacers matchup against the Detroit Pistons tonight in Detroit. Stay tuned for the game coverage you know and love.

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