In the midst of a contract year, long-time Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner is leaving a lot to be desired on the court. Through 23 games this season, Turner is averaging 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2 blocks. Furthermore, he is shooting 47.4% from the field and 41.9% from the three-point line. While solid, it is not good enough for a Pacers team that has been extremely underwhelming this season.
After their Eastern Conference Finals appearance earlier this year, their first since 2014, many expected the Pacers to further cement themselves as potential title contenders this season. So far, the exact opposite has happened. Over one month into the season, the Pacers are 10-15 and own the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While there is still time to right the ship, the Pacers have given fans very little reason to believe they can turn things around this season. Instead of potentially competing in the conference finals again, the Pacers are barely in the Play-In picture this late in the season. With Turner hitting unrestricted free agency next summer, it might be time for the team to make one of their hardest decisions in recent history.
The Pacers might have to pull the trigger on a Myles Turner trade
Due to the nature of two-year contracts in the NBA, which Turner is currently on, the Pacers big man cannot sign a new extension this season. This has led some to believe the Pacers could benefit from trading Turner to a contender by the trade deadline to acquire some assets in return.
The Texas native has been with the Pacers since they drafted him in 2015. However, it is beginning to look like the team may not be able to contend with him as their primary big man. Offensively, Turner is an incredibly valuable big man who can stretch the floor. Furthermore, he is still a solid defensive player, even if he is no longer a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. However, there are legitimate doubts about his fit with the Pacers as their only true center and whether it can lead to long-term success.
On paper, he is a great fit next to Pascal Siakam in the frontcourt. However, Turner is still a flawed center. Most notably, he is not a good rebounder and does not excel against some of the league's top big men. For a team like the Pacers, he may not be the right guy. However, on a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, for example, who have Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, Turner might be the ideal acquisition.
Turner is a fan favorite, and rightfully so. There is no denying his talents and his value in the locker room. However, with the way the team is currently constructed, Turner may not be the right center if the Pacers want to win a championship any time soon. The trade deadline is still a few months away, but moving on from him to get value in return could prove to be Indiana's best move in the long run.