Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner expressed his astonishment over the absence of trade speculation surrounding him as the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline approached.
Turner has often been the center of trade discussions. During the 2023 offseason, speculations were suggesting Turner might be traded if the Pacers had the opportunity to draft Victor Wembanyama.
“Honestly, I still got PTSD from [past trade rumors], so I really didn’t even feel super secure at that,” Turner told HoopsHype’s Sam Yip. “I was kinda expecting at least a rumor or something here and there, but I’m just very fortunate to be in the same position.”
“I think it was just more of that we had a more clear-cut idea of the direction we were going with so it made it easier for me,” Turner explained.
Turner has openly talked about how trade rumors have affected him in the past. Before the start of the 2023-24 season, he mentioned on the “Run Your Race” podcast (as reported by the Indianapolis Star) that he initially took the constant speculation personally, but it eventually made him more resilient.
In his ninth season with the Pacers, Turner’s career with the team started in the 2015-16 season. During his debut season, Turner played alongside Paul George, a nine-time All-Star now with the Los Angeles Clippers. Over two seasons, Turner and George shared the court for 134 games before George moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“PG was my favorite teammate, personally,” Turner told Yip. “When I first got here to the league, he’s someone who took me under his wing, and obviously, he’s one of the most dynamic players that’s out there right now. And I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated his approach to the game, so he’s definitely someone I rock with.”
Turner remains an integral member of the Pacers, averaging 17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 52 games this season.
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