Over each of the last two rounds of the playoffs, Myles Turner has been leaving a lot to be desired and may potentially even be withering under pressure. The Indiana Pacers big man is a free agent in the offseason, and if he continues underachieving and doesn't turn things around, his next contract could be impacted.
There is no doubt that Turner is important to the Pacers when he is hot. He makes his impact felt on both sides of the ball, and there are few big men in the NBA who can stretch the floor better than he can. However, in the last two rounds (especially the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder), he has been close to a non-factor.
Through four games against the Thunder, the Texas native is averaging 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2 blocks. Additionally, he is shooting 39.5% from the field and 20% from the three-point line. As he and the Pacers look to take a 3-2 series lead back to Indiana on Monday night, Turner has an even bigger reason to step it up and make his presence on the game felt.
Myles Turner is likely to remain in Indiana
Regardless of how he has played in the NBA Finals so far, it is safe to assume the long-time Pacers big man is not going anywhere in the offseason, based on the latest reports, and this is a good thing for the team. Turner has been with the Pacers since they drafted him in 2015, and he has turned into one of their most important players in franchise history. Despite his current struggles, there are not many big men who have the skillset that Turner has, and he is the perfect fit for the Pacers' system.
Ultimately, it sounds like Turner will remain in Indiana past this offseason. However, nothing is official just yet, and a lot of crazier things have happened around the league. Additionally, even if Turner does re-sign with the Pacers in the summer, how he plays in at least the next two games may decide just how much the team is willing to pay him.
The Pacers are just two wins away from their first-ever NBA Championship, but they have a lot going against them. They blew it in Game 4, and they will now head back to Oklahoma City in what is essentially a best-of-three series for the title. It is not over for the Pacers, especially given their reputation as one of the most resilient and clutch teams in recent history. However, everybody on the team needs to step it up from here on out, and that includes Turner.