We are just a week away from this year's NBA Trade Deadline, and while nothing of note has happened yet for the Indiana Pacers, that could change soon. The biggest narrative to follow for the Pacers in the trade market is what they will ultimately do with long-time center Myles Turner. Turner, who has been with the Pacers since they drafted him in 2015, is an impending free agent.
Due to his contract, Turner is unable to sign a new deal until his current one is up, which will happen in the summer. Keeping him on the team past the deadline could be risky since it opens the door for him to leave in free agency with the Pacers getting no value in return. Additionally, with the recent reports that suggest the Pacers may not want to meet Turner's asking price in the offseason, a trade involving the Texas native now seems like a real possibility.
For a long time, Turner has been the subject of trade rumors. Yet, a decade later, he is still in Indiana. Even with the trade deadline looming, it seems that this year is no different and that fans should expect Turner to stick around for a little while longer.
Marc Stein says the Pacers are not interested in trading Myles Turner
NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required) recentl provided an update on a potential trade involving Turner. According to Stein, Indiana does not want to trade their big man.
"The Pacers' phones are undeniably ringing with interest in Myles Turner. That was inevitable with Turner just months away from unrestricted free agency now. Yet the prevailing leaguewide sense, one week out from the trade buzzer, is that the Pacers do not want to trade Turner," Stein wrote.
Furthermore, Stein provided a bit more clarity on what the Pacers' asking price for Turner could look like, saying the team would want at least "a starting-level center" in return.
"There is a strong belief among some league personnel that Indiana would need to see proposals that return a starting-level center to even consider the notion."
While a lot of crazy things can happen in the NBA, with Stein's report, it is fair to assume that the Pacers will not trade Turner. Beyond the obvious statement that the Pacers simply do not want to make this trade, their asking price will be difficult for opposing teams to meet.
Turner is far from a flawless center, but there is no doubt that he provides a lot of value on the court. He is one of the best stretch bigs in the league, and he is a fantastic shot-blocker as well. Realistically, the Pacers will not get an immediate replacement that matches or exceeds Turner's value. This is especially true given the risk other teams would take by acquiring an impending free agent.
The Pacers big man will likely stay in Indiana past the trade deadline and should stay beyond the offseason as well. They are playing great basketball right now, and much of that has to do with Turner's presence on the court. Trading him is a risk not worth taking, and it seems that the front office feels the exact same way.