Ranking the Pacers' 3 best trade assets from most to least replaceable

3. Myles Turner (least replaceable)

Let's get one thing straight--Turner is an essential part of what the Pacers are doing right now.

He has been with the team since they drafted him 11th overall in 2015. Turner is the longest-tenured Pacer and has been with the team through thick and thin. Furthermore, he is arguably a top-10 center in the league who has developed a lot since his rookie season. However, he is not untouchable for one reason--he is a free agent next year.

Last year, Turner and the Pacers agreed to a two-year, $40.9 million contract extension. Due to the nature of two-year contracts in the NBA, the two sides cannot agree to another contract until the current one expires, which is set to do so at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The big man will hit unrestricted free agency next summer. While it seems likely he will return to the team, a lot can happen before the end of next season. Though it would not make sense from a basketball perspective, there is a world where the Pacers may have to trade Turner if they fear he might leave the team next summer.

Outside of this one problem, however, the Pacers have no reason to move on from Turner. He is the perfect center to play alongside Siakam as they complement each other incredibly well on both sides of the ball. Furthermore, he is a fan favorite and seems to enjoy Indiana.

Currently, the Pacers are extremely thin at center outside of Turner. Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, who the team signed this summer, are both question marks. Chances are that the Pacers cannot rely on either player to be their everyday starting center if it comes down to it. This, in addition to Turner's borderline elite playstyle, makes him as close to irreplaceable as anyone else on the team.