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After spending a lot of the previous yr seemingly headed for a divorce, the Indiana Pacers and heart Myles Turner are reportedly open to staying collectively.
Per Shams Charania for The Athletic, the Pacers and Turner have “opened up contract extension discussions and are exploring a possible new deal” earlier than he turns into a free agent within the offseason.
Charania famous Indiana will proceed to have an open thoughts concerning the commerce market and will not rule something out.
Turner was closely linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in commerce rumors over the summer time. Charania reported in September the Lakers turned down Indiana’s request for 2 unprotected first-round draft picks in alternate for Turner and Buddy Hield.
When the season started, it appeared like a matter of when, not if, Turner can be moved. The Pacers weren’t anticipated to be excellent, and buying and selling a 26-year-old heart with sturdy defensive acumen and a few scoring aptitude would web them a stable return.
By way of the primary two months of the season, although, the Pacers seem to have discovered a nucleus they will construct round. Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin are arguably the second-best younger backcourt duo within the NBA behind Ja Morant and a wholesome Desmond Bane for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Pacers traded Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in February, and Turner has taken steps ahead now that he does not should share the ground with one other large man.
Indiana has simply $71.3 million in wage commitments for the 2023-24 season, and Turner is the one key contributor set to change into a free agent subsequent summer time. Goga Bitadze is eligible for restricted free company.
Turner is on tempo to set profession highs in scoring (16.7 factors per sport), rebounds (7.8), field-goal share (54.1) and three-point share (41.7). He is additionally averaging greater than two blocks per sport for the fifth consecutive season.
For so long as Herb Simon has been the Pacers’ governor, the franchise has tried to remain aggressive each season. The outcomes have not all the time measured up, however it’s uncommon the Pacers will backside out. Their 25-57 end final season was simply the third time they’ve misplaced not less than 50 video games since 1986-87.
The Pacers enter Friday eighth within the Japanese Convention with a 16-16 file.
