Why Would The Indiana Pacers Trade Myles Turner?

The Indiana Pacers started off the 2024-25 season slow after an incredible run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Rock bottom for this year arrived in mid-December when Indiana lost in embarrassing fashion against the lowly Charlotte Hornets, but they have rebounded with authority since.

Over the last six weeks, they look like last year’s version of the Pacers, but this time they have an above-average to elite defensive model alongside a high-powered offensive attack. Indiana owns a 16-5 record since that loss to Charlotte, which puts them in elite company amongst title-contending teams over the same span.

Recently, many national NBA insiders have pegged Indiana potentially being open to trading Turner ahead of the February 6th deadline. One of those teams continuously linked to Turner over the years is the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, that begs the question from the other perspective in Indiana.

Plenty of teams indeed are interested in Turner, especially with his three-point shooting and shot blocking archetype being supremely coveted nowadays, but why exactly would Indiana move him in the middle of another hopeful deep postseason push?

From the Pacers’ point of view, Turner is the perfect on-court fit alongside their two All-Star talents in point guard Tyrese Haliburton and forward Pascal Siakam. Throughout this season, the trio of Turner, Haliburton and Siakam is dominant when sharing the court together.

Offensive Rating = 115.5 points per 100 possessions (7th)

Defensive Rating = 108.1 points per 100 possessions (3rd)

Net Rating = +7.4 (4th)

Again, why would Indiana want to disrupt what has worked for them splendidly since Siakam was acquired midway through last season? Turner’s floor-spacing prowess coupled with his longtime elite shot blocking makes him one of the most underrated big men in the Association.

Turner is averaging 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting a career-high 40 percent on threes this season. In a contract year, guaranteed to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career thanks to a renegotiation a few years back, Turner is set to be one of the top players available. And with Turner’s strengths coveted by many teams, there’s a reality where he earns over $30 million annually on his new long-term deal in the offseason.

During their franchise history, the Pacers have never paid the luxury tax. If they decide to sign Turner to a figure around $30 million, that will end up happening unless they make a cost-cutting move elsewhere on the roster.

Keep an eye on veteran wing Obi Toppin potentially being traded by Indiana in order to keep another contender from taking Turner away. Whether it be within the next week or in the summer, Toppin’s salary being shipped out would allow additional wiggle room for Indiana’s front office to creatively bring back Turner for the rest of his career.

In terms of potential deadline movement for Indiana, don’t bet on any occurring. Finding their rhythm lately while seeing growth from members of their young core, more specifically consistent play from recent lottery picks Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker, it’s very likely not worth it for the Pacers to attempt to rock the boat with another big mid-season transaction.

Teams will keep calling the Pacers on Turner over the next week, but they will continuously receive the same answer.

Unless Indiana gets a star-level player in return for their starting center who fits perfectly next to their highest paid players, why would they move him in the middle of a window where they can compete to win the Eastern Conference?