Indiana Pacers: What does Dallas have to offer for Myles Turner?

This offseason could be the one that cements the status of Myles Turner with the Indiana Pacers. Now eligible for an extension, the front office could consider him as their wanted big man to anchor the team for years to come, but it may also look into ending a longtime partnership to go full throttle on a rare youth movement.

If so in the latter case, one team that could potentially be aggressive in moving the needle for Turner is the Dallas Mavericks. After a semi-breakout 2021-22 campaign, the Luka Doncic-led squad will have to improve their roster to bolster their contention in the near future, and the Mavs have been a common sight in trade forecasts for the big man.

Looking into their current players and assets, does Dallas have what it takes to put up an attractive offer for Myles Turner?

Could the Indiana Pacers be enticed with the Dallas Mavericks’ assets in a Myles Turner trade?

Among the players on the Dallas Mavericks roster, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, and Dwight Powell are probably the cogs that their front office would be very willing to move. Those players, however, fill no need for the Indiana Pacers.

Hardaway Jr. is a streaky shooter who is essentially a less efficient Buddy Hield. With the Pacers urgently needing to trim the fat in the backcourt to open up more room for Chris Duarte,  trading for the veteran gunner would be counterproductive.

Meanwhile, Bertans is a walking overpay. His three-point shooting ability is very lethal when activated, but his minimal contribution elsewhere has effectively relegated him into a situational player. Taking on his salary is a nightmare scenario.

Dwight Powell served as an average starter for the Mavericks in the regular season, but he heavily struggled in the playoffs, ending up as a ceremonial starter. For Dallas to continue being among the best teams in the West, an upgrade from the springy big man is a must. Also, the Pacers have virtually no use for him, as they already have Isaiah Jackson to occupy the roll man role.

Even if the Mavs try to bolster a prospective package by making Spencer Dinwiddie available, though unlikely, the Pacers are unlikely to be interested, given that they still have Hield, Malcolm Brogdon, and TJ McConnell on the roster.

Really, what Dallas can do to tempt Indiana is to revolve their package around draft capital. They own all their first-round picks aside from 2023, and with Doncic on the roster, their picks are unlikely to yield much as they project to pick in the 20s for a good period of time.

As of now, a Myles Turner trade to the Dallas Mavericks is unlikely, and the Indiana Pacers can find better offers elsewhere. However, that could certainly change if the Mavs go all-in on the prized defensive-minded big man and give the Pacers what they want to amplify their quick rebuild.