26-year-old Myles Turner wants the world to know where his loyalties lie. Despite being one of the best interior defenders in basketball, and a highly coveted asset across the league, he is content retiring with the same team that drafted him.
Speaking to Alex Kennedy of Basketball News, the Indiana big man got real on his long-term future and his desire to remain with the franchise.
“I’m comfortable. I’m where I want to be. I’m growing with a young team that’s hungry,” said Turner on the Pacers. “I think we’re just trying to get better and better every day, and that’s the main goal of this whole thing. I have a lot of belief in this city, a lot of belief in this program and a lot of belief in the guys in this locker room, so that was a big initial factor in me wanting to stay here.”
According to Myles, he wants to retire in the city after inking a $40+ million deal that will keep him in the jersey for at least two more seasons.
“Yeah, obviously, it’s something that would be very special,” Turner said. “Like I always talk about, the business of basketball always reigns supreme, but my loyalty is with the organization that drafted me and the city that took me in, and hopefully it’s able to stay that way for years to come.”
Those are strong words from Turner, who seems to share the same philosophy as Damian Lillard and other players who are committed to their original franchise.
What makes it funny is that Turner was showing signs of wanting to be a Laker just a few months ago.
NBA Fans Aren’t Sold On Turner’s Long-Term Commitment To The Pacers
While most Pacers fans are glad to hear Myles talk about retiring with the team, there were plenty who pointed out that Turner was campaigning to join the Purple and Gold before the trade deadline.
(comments are edited for clarification)
“Just 2 months ago he wanted to be a laker,” one fan wrote.
just 2 months ago he wanted to be a laker😭
— ✧.* (@HoodiiBron) March 4, 2023
“Brother was campaigning to get traded to the Lakers in the summer and now he wanna retire a Pacer. Yeah sure,” said one user in disbelief.
Brother was campaigning to the get traded to the Lakers in the summer and now he wanna retire a Pacer. Yeah sure
— Akasei (@Akaseipm) March 4, 2023
“Every time a quote like this comes out the player ends up on a different team in 6 months…”
Every time a quote like this comes out the player ends up on a different team in 6 months
— Maelle Nuke (@JackkChaos) March 4, 2023
“He’s been on the trade block for six years…”
He’s been on the trade block for 6 years
— Steven Blathras (@StevenBlathras) March 4, 2023
“Bro realized he isn’t getting traded to the Lakers and now he wants to be a Pacer for life”
Bro realized he isn't getting traded to the Lakers and no he wants to be a Pacer for life 💀
— Random dude (@Randomd10771059) March 4, 2023
So, fans clearly aren’t buying Turner’s love letter to Indiana, and why should they? In today’s NBA, players can change teams faster than we can change shirts and no verbal commitment is going to get in the way of that.
For now, of course, Myles is a Pacer and his contract isn’t set to expire anytime soon. But maybe you shouldn’t be shocked if his “dream” of being a Pacer forever doesn’t pan out…
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