For years (including this year), Myles Turner has been the subject of Indiana Pacers trade rumors, though nothing ultimately came of it. Fortunately for Turner and the Pacers, the days of these trade rumors may officially be coming to an end based on the latest reports.
Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Turner is likely going to stay in Indiana once his contract expires in the offseason. Fischer has since doubled down on that report (subscription required) and has taken it a bit farther. In addition to Turner likely remaining in Indiana, Fischer reports that rival teams believe Turner will not "be gettable this summer," effectively shutting down any sign-and-trade possibilities as well as any direct trade potential in the near future.
"It's a momentous run that has been led by a not-so-overrated Tyrese Haliburton ... and which has left numerous rival teams with the strong impression that free agent-to-be Myles Turner is not going to be gettable this summer," Fischer wrote.
"The rising expectation, league sources say, is that Turner will be extending his stay in the Hoosier State."
Nothing is official, and a lot can change until the offseason, but if Fischer's reports are true, this is the right move for the Pacers that should keep them in contention for the long haul.
Myles Turner is crucial to the Pacers' success
There are very few current NBA players who have been with their respective teams longer than Turner has been in Indiana. Outside of Devin Booker with the Phoenix Suns, Turner is the only player from the 2015 NBA Draft who is still with the team that drafted him. That was nearly 10 years ago. There are tons of NBA careers that do not last that long, let alone Pacers tenures.
During his time in Indiana up to this point, Turner has gone through numerous ups and downs, both in terms of team success and uncertainty regarding his future. The Texas native has developed into one of the best stretch big men in the NBA, and his rim protection is essential to the Pacers' defense. There is a reason he has been in so many trade rumors over the years, and there is also a reason the Pacers never pulled the trigger. There are few big men in the NBA currently who can do what Turner can do, especially at the level he does it at.
The Pacers are in the conference finals for the second straight year, and a lot of that can be attributed to Turner's presence. Furthermore, as the Pacers look to make the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, they will continue to rely heavily on their long-time big man. Turner is the perfect fit in Indiana because of what he can do on both sides of the ball. Re-signing him may put the team in a difficult situation regarding the salary cap, but it should still be their biggest priority as there is no doubt that letting him walk this summer would be a colossal mistake.