After Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this offseason in a stunning move, many Indiana Pacers fans were upset, especially given the consequent reports. However, while Turner had great moments in Indiana, it is all about the guys currently with the team looking to make an impact, and star guard Tyrese Haliburton knows that.
In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, the Wisconsin native made it clear that he understands the business aspect of Turner's decision to move on. However, the past is the past, and it is time to look into the present and future for the Pacers (h/t Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files).
“I think that people have really taken a liking to Myles. He’s done some great things, been a part of some great groups. But at the end of the day, it is a business. He’s got to do what’s best for him, and I wish him the best moving forward. My focus is now on the guys that we have here," Haliburton said.
Regardless of who is in the right or who will benefit in the end, all that matters is that the Pacers now have to navigate life without Turner for the first time in a decade. As they prepare for what most expect to be a gap year, they will have an opportunity to experiment a bit and see what sticks for the long haul. The Pacers will likely go through some rough patches. However, finding a center solution is key for the team as they look to re-establish themselves as title contenders.
Pacers' Myles Turner plan is not ideal, but it could still work
One of the biggest challenges of moving on from Turner was always going to be figuring out a way to replace him. So far, it seems that the Pacers feel the exact same way.
There is no doubt that Turner had his flaws. He was far from a perfect big man, and that showed in a major way during Indiana's NBA Finals loss. The Texas native has seemingly regressed defensively, he has never been much of a rebounder, and he has little offensive value when his shot is not falling. Still, he possesses a lot of traits that will make it tough (if not impossible) for the Pacers to replace him.
Turner is fantastic at stretching the floor and protecting the rim. Furthermore, he was great at running the floor with Haliburton at the point, and he was the perfect complement alongside Pascal Siakam in the frontcourt. Losing him in free agency might be a blessing in disguise. However, this does not change the fact that they still need to replace him.
As it stands, the Pacers are expected to run a committee at center. Given that they will not find a one-for-one replacement for Turner, especially during this offseason, this might be their best bet.
It seems likely that Isaiah Jackson will be the team's next starting center, though this could change. Beyond Jackson, the Pacers have Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley rostered. All of these players provide value in different ways, and they could each make an impact with the team next season (though it seems unlikely Indiana will keep all four big men rostered heading into the regular season). Regardless, it would make sense for the team to simply ride the hot hand on a game-by-game basis, which appears to be their plan.
Despite what next season may look like, the Pacers have a bright future and should be back in title contention in no time. However, until then, they have to find a way to fill the Turner-sized hole in their lineup. Whether they will be able to or not will be a crucial factor in their long-term success.