Why Myles Turner is a ‘sneaky’ Pacers trade candidate despite upside

In the middle of the season, The Indiana Pacers finally seemed to be over the top their early-year struggles and find a rhythm that has taken them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024. However, despite their recent success, the Pacers are rumored to be eyeing the trade market, with the center Miles Turner potentially available.

In a little more than a week until 2025 NBA trade deadlineThe Pacers are potentially “secretly” open for trading Turner, reported Jovan Buha from Athletic. The 10-year-old big man isn’t actively being shopped, but it’s a name Buha said Indiana is open to discussing.

“I’ve heard from a league source that Indiana might, somewhat stealthily, be open to trading Myles Turner,” Buha said on YouTube.

Buha, a Los Angeles Lakers beat reporter, provided information on Turner based on the Lakers’ pursuit of a trade at the upcoming deadline. Teams around the league are aware that Los Angeles is in the market for a center Anthony Davis publicly requested this move to allow him to play a powerful forward.

However, Buha noted that the Lakers and Pacers are still not involved in trade talks regarding Turner. He also noted that the team is only interested in potentially moving their center back due to his current contract. Turner is in the final year of his $40 million contract and is expected to pursue a bigger extension in the offseason, which the Pacers don’t seem interested in offering.

“He will soon become an unrestricted free agent,” Buha said. “He’s going to want 30-plus million, and I’ve heard that Indiana isn’t sure if they want to give him (that much). So if they don’t, then from an asset management standpoint, it makes sense to trade it.”

Myles Turner’s upcoming free agency makes him a potential trade asset for the Pacers

Turner has played all 10 years with the Pacers since being drafted 11th overall by the team in 2015. Although he never developed into an All-Star, he was one of the league’s most consistent 5s and rim protectors over the past decades.

Turner’s scoring is down in 2024-25 compared to the previous two years, but he’s still averaging 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on the year, while shooting a career-high 39 from deep. , 3 percent. He appeared in 42 of the team’s first 45 games.

Despite being the longest-tenured player on the Pacers, Turner is reportedly asking for a pay raise that would not match his current value. He currently profiles as a high-value player rather than a star, but he appears to want a superstar-level contract.

Buha added that Indiana would like to get another center in return if they move Turner. The Pacers recently traded for backup center Thomas Bryant in December 2024, but would be without a lot of size if they move on with Turner.