Myles Turner still battling expectations after his best season in the NBA
By Ben Gibson
Turner’s future remains with the Pacers, whether he makes a jump or not
With the salary cap rising steadily in the NBA, Myles Turner’s $17.5 million he is owed over each of the next four seasons is the going rate of a center of his caliber. Building around him and Victor Oladipo is a bit easier when both are arguably on below-market-rate deals.
Even if he doesn’t improve on offense, it’s still a market-rate deal. If he does improve on offense, it could be an excellent contract for the Pacers.
The offensive side of things is where the Pacers want growth in Myles’ game. If he simply found the right times to take a few more shots a game, he’d stretch the floor out even more and take the pressure off of the rest of the team.
Indiana still expects and needs Turner’s offense to be more than the steady and reliable baker’s dozen worth of points each game. Unless he bulks up and finds a way to improve his rebounding numbers, his defense can only get so much better.
If Turner evolves at all offensively, even without improving his rebounds, people will stop asking whether he’s already peaked.
The Pacers don’t need Turner to become an All-Star, though an increase in scoring might draw him more votes, but they do need him to take what is given to him on offense.
Next. The case against Rui Hachimura for the Pacers. dark
Myles Turner is doing just fine, but when he makes a move to get past a defender or knocks down a 3-pointer with ease, it’s natural to ask if the Pacers center can be much more than just fine.