One Big Name Taken Off Trade Market

The Los Angeles Lakers were interested. So were the Toronto Raptors at times, amongst others. But after having his name dragged through the trade rumors for years, it seems, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is apparently not going anywhere.

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said this morning on local Indiana sports radio that Turner will not be traded at this time, and will indeed be their starting center on opening night. 

Will Turner be in Indiana opening night, the GM was asked? “Yes," Buchanan replied. "Myles obviously this offseason went through some things involving him, but Myles has been an absolute pro. He’s in great shape, healthy & ready to go.” 

Turner seemed happy to hear the news.

He simply posted a tweet with a series of hearts. 

Turner has led the NBA in blocked shots in two of the last four seasons. His 2021-22 was cut short last year to just 42 games due to a stress reaction in his foot. 

Reports surfaced last summer that the Pacers had the 25-year-old center on the trade block, and he was a hot commodity once again at the February trade deadline. This summer, the talk was that the Los Angeles Lakers were interested in landing Turner and his Pacers teammate Buddy Hield, if Indiana was willing to take on the expiring $47M contract of Russell Westbrook. But the Lakers weren't willing to give up both of their two available future first-rounders to make it happen.

Now the Pacers have decided to stick with the rim-protecting, floor-spacing center.

For now...

Photos: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports, Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports