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Myles Turner part of exclusive club after blockbuster Knicks-Timberwolves trade

By Elie Deglaoui

May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) looks on during the first quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) looks on during the first quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Late on Friday night, the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a blockbuster trade just days before the start of training camp. In the trade, the Timberwolves sent long-time center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. This move happened out of nowhere and will have immediate effects on the 2024-25 season.

The Pacers will feel the aftermath of this trade pretty early on as they face the Knicks on October 25th in their second game of the season. However, that is not the only development that will catch the eyes of Pacers fans.

Following Towns' trade away from the Timberwolves, Turner is just one of two NBA player who are still with the team that drafted him in 2015. Of course, Turner was drafted by the Pacers and remains with the team nearly a decade later. Furthermore, Devin Booker is still with the Phoenix Suns, who drafted him 13th overall in the same class.

Technically, Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell is still with the team that drafted him second overall. However, he is currently on his second stint with the team and played for numerous other teams.

Myles Turner is 1 of 2 players still with their original team from the 2015 NBA Draft

A lot can be said about Turner and his time with the Pacers so far, but one general consensus is that the team clearly made the right decision back then. It is even more impressive given that, outside of Booker, no player selected after Turner has had a better NBA career up to this point.

Some notable players who were drafted after Turner and Booker in 2015 include Cameron Payne, Kelly Oubre Jr., Terry Rozier, and Bobby Portis. While all these players are solid, it is fair to say the Pacers are happy with their selection of Turner.

Currently, Turner is slated to head into the final season of his contract. And although he is ineligible to sign a new contract before next offseason, there is reason to believe the Texas native will remain with the Pacers for the long haul.

The Pacers' selection of Turner is still paying dividends all this time later. As the team prepares for an exciting 2024-25 campaign, the big man remains a big part of the team's present and future as the Pacers look to inch even closer to legitimate title contention.

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