Indiana Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan joined a local radio station Tuesday morning to discuss the latest updates around the team. There are many hot topics involving the Pacers as the NBA draft concludes and free agency begins.
Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers have a long history of trade rumors and free agency questions.
Myles Turner has been in trade discussions for the entirety of his NBA career. The 26-year-old big man is nearing the end of his second NBA contract that he signed in 2019, spanning four years and $80M.
It seems now more than ever would make the most sense for a trade to occur if the Pacers don’t think they will be able to bring him back when his contract ends and an extension isn’t agreed to. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023, meaning they could lose him in free agency and get nothing in return.
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan was asked if the team was shopping Myles Turner by Jake Query of 1075 the fan.
"“We are not actively shopping Myles Turner…We are listening to other teams that contact us, but we are in no hurry to massively alter this roster. We are trying to do things in an order to allow us a chance to be better down the road. Teams talk this time of year and there are conversations to be had but we are more of a listening type of organization”."
The response was pretty substantial, not to say an offer wouldn’t be taken for Turner, but it seems the team isn’t seeking that deal out now. I think the Pacers want to keep Myles and see him with this young core of players, which they can do this season. If it doesn’t work, making a trade at the deadline is in the realm of possibility for Indiana.
Buchanan continues the conversation to praise Turner and go into more detail on his situation this upcoming offseason.
"“He is in a position to have a terrific season for us. Him and Domas playing together was good at times and challenging at times for both players and now that we’ve cleared that up he’s got a runway here to be our starting center. He’s playing with probably the best pass-first point guard in a long time in Tyrese and he’s got a coach who believes in him. We’d love to see [Myles Turner] with us long-term. Whether that plays out or not, that’s kind of in his hands a little bit as well”."
In my opinion, Myles is a Pacer through his contract, but I don’t know if the two parties will agree on an extension. Myles may want to test the free agency market for the first time in his career in 2023. He also has been very open about loving it in Indiana, and now that he has the stage without Sabonis, that may be all he wants to continue his career with the Indiana Pacers.