Newest Pacers rumors indicate Myles Turner trade may still happen
By Joe Lyon
In recent weeks, it has been reported by Shams Charania of the Athletic that Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers have opened up contract extension talks as the trade deadline and the end of his current deal both begin to loom. This is big given that over the summer the relationship had seemed to break down after the Pacers’ failed pursuit of big-man Deandre Ayton.
The recent news to come out is that the Pacers may be willing to quickly deal Myles Turner if those contract extension talks fail reports Matt Moore of the Action Network via multiple sources across the league. The implication is that the Pacers may need to be able to set themselves up a back door if the talks begin to break down between the two parties.
To say that Myles Turner’s time in Indiana has been characterized by trade rumors would be an understatement. Myles has constantly been in trade rumors, but the Pacers have always toed the line of whether they would ever be willing to make or entertain said offers.
And it makes sense. Myles fills a unique skill that most big men in the league can’t, a 3-and-D player that can also impact the offense in other ways. Because of this Myles is bound to constantly be in trade rumors given that he isn’t valuable enough to be untradeable, but he is valuable enough that most teams in the league would benefit form his presence on the roster.
So what is the moral of this story for Pacers’ fans?
It sounds like the front office is doing it’s due diligence on both sides of the equation. For one, they are trying to retain a valuable piece of the franchise that seems to be fitting in well with the current young core.
On the other, they are making sure they protect the long term prospects of this franchise as they look to continue to build on the youth movement they started earlier this year.
Pacers’ fans may see a Turner signing yet, but also don’t be surprised if the relationship is beyond repair and Turner decides he wants to swim in the free agent waters for the first time in his career. It seems like everybody wants him anyway right?
