Indiana Pacers: Why trading Myles Turner for the No. 2 pick isn’t a good idea
The Myles Turner Effect
I know there are Pacers fans out there that aren’t too high on Myles Turner, seeming like they want more from the 24-year-old big man. The fact is that he is a major part of what the Pacers are capable of defensively. The elite shot-blocking he possesses is crucial in part why the Pacers are always a top defensive team in the league.
In Turner’s young career he has already won a blocking crown and has finished in the top five in blocks four out of the five seasons he has been in the league. The only year he failed to crack the top five was his rookie season. In the playoff series against the Heat, he set a playoff career-high in blocks with four per game.
Some people will argue that’s fine since we would move Domantas Sabonis to the five and he could handle those duties. However, we must keep in mind the fact is that Sabonis is not a very good shot blocker. In his four years in the league, Sabonis has failed to average a block per game.
Shot blocking just isn’t part of the multifaceted big man’s game. Trading away Turner would take away that shot-blocking presence in the middle which is so important for a defense allowing to have players to play more aggressively knowing they have that safety valve behind them.
People will also argue about his offensive production and yes there is more to be desired in that field. I think that is more part of how Nate McMillan used him rather than the offensive ability of Turner. Turner this season was mainly used as a spot-up shooter while Sabonis operated in the paint. McMillan did ask him to take a step back on the offensive side so that Sabonis could have more room to operate which is tough for any young player.
What gives me hope in Myles’s offensive game is how he played in the playoffs. In the Heat series, Myles recorded his best postseason to date by averaging 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. Turner also shot a perfect percentage from the corner three in that series which made up 21 percent of his three-point attempts.
Throw in the shot-blocking and that’s an impressive series even if it was a sweep. He also did all that in whatever you want to call the offense that Nate McMillan ran during the playoffs. I’m still haunted by the dribble handoffs at the top of the key.
Is Myles Turner the All-Star we hoped he would develop into? No, he isn’t, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a really good player and a key piece to this Pacers squad. Elite shot-blocking centers who can shoot the three don’t grow on trees. Also, I feel people forget the fact that he is also still only 24 years old and still has yet to hit his prime.