Ahead of the 2022-23 season, the Indiana Pacers were supposed to be in full rebuild mode. With Tyrese Haliburton, Benedict Mathurin, and a number of other young players, many experts predicted it was only a matter of time before Buddy Hield, and Myles Turner were moved somewhere else.
But here we are in early January, and both players remain with the Pacers, who are currently sitting in 7th place in the East.
With their surprising success this season, there is a sense the Pacers have cooled on their attempts to trade their veterans. But according to the latest update from Matt Moore of Action Network, failed extension talks could finally force Indiana’s hand.
The Athletic reported last month that the Indiana Pacers and Myles Turner were in extension talks. An agreement would end a four-year prolonged trade saga around the versatile big man.
However, multiple sources indicated this week that if a deal isn’t reached, it would finally prompt the Pacers to move on and deal Turner. At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it, given how many times Turner’s name has appeared in trade rumors.
The Pacers are in a tight situation. They’re currently in playoff position, but much of that is due to presumed playoff contenders (Heat, Hawks, and Raptors) underperforming to this point.
Are the Pacers really ahead of their timeline, or is the rest of the conference just underachieving in a weird year full of parity?
Report: Pacers expected to trade Myles Turner at the deadline if no extension is reached https://t.co/BiMvlei6Oy
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2023
The Pacers are exceeding expectations, and Turner’s play has been a huge reason why. But with his value at an all-time high, the Pacers might be better served by trading him for a young big who fits their timeline.
Myles Turner Is Tired Of Being A Role Player With The Pacers
Myles Turner has been involved in rumors for years now, and there isn’t any end in sight. As someone who constantly gets talked about year after year, it’s no surprise that Turner is looking for a more stable and long-term environment.
“It’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity,” Turner said. “I’m trying really hard to make the role that I’m given here work and find a way to maximize it. I’ve been trying to the past two, three seasons. But it’s clear to me that, just numbers-wise, I’m not valued as more than a rotational role player, and I hold myself in a higher regard than that.”
At this point, it’s just a waiting game for Myles, but it shouldn’t be long now before he’s in a different jersey. As an elite defender and quality rim-runner, he is good enough to tip the scales in favor of whatever team gets him next.
As the trade deadline creeps closer, it’d be a good idea to keep your eyes on the Pacers and watch what they do with their disgruntled young big man.
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