Now in his 10th season with the Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner has established himself as one of the team's core pieces and an essential player to their success. However, even so, Turner is regularly the subject of trade rumors. This was no different this season, as there were reports that suggested the Pacers could move on from their long-time big man as he heads for unrestricted free agency.
Ultimately, nothing happened and Turner remains a Pacer. However, there is still some uncertainty about his future in Indiana. He is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and is ineligible to sign an extension before the end of the season. Furthermore, with reports suggesting that Turner and the Pacers may not see eye-to-eye on terms of a new contract, it makes his status with the team even more important to follow.
Regardless, most Pacers fans can recognize that Turner is too valuable for the Pacers to lose for nothing, even if he may be a bit more expensive than the team wants him to be. The Pacers really only have one solution to this Turner problem, and there is one specific stat that backs it up.
Myles Turner is too important to their rim protection, must be re-signed
Turner has some flaws, such as his poor rebounding. However, he has significantly more strengths and is continuing to prove that this season. Beyond being one of the best stretch bigs in the NBA, Turner is also a great rim protector. While he will probably never win the Defensive Player of the Year award, the Texas native may at least have a case to be in the conversation.
This season, the Pacers are averaging 5.2 blocks per game, which is the 12th-best in the NBA. However, since the All-Star break, they are averaging 5.3 blocks per game, which is eighth-best in the league across that span, according to StatMuse. Furthermore, Turner himself is responsible for 2.2 blocks per game since the All-Star break, and only Walker Kessler (2.8) and Chet Holmgren (2.4) average more than Turner in that time, per StatMuse.
The Pacers are already weak at defending the paint, but that is not Turner's fault, as many times they will allow smaller guards or wings to blow by and score under the basket. Turner may not be a top-tier center in the NBA, but he is perfect for the Pacers in many areas. Additionally, upgrading from him is a virtually impossible task.
By all accounts, the Pacers need Turner to be a championship contender because of his rim protection and ability to stretch the floor. Even if it means paying a little more than they want, the Pacers must bring Turner back by any means necessary.