This Mavs-Pacers Trade Is Focused On Myles Turner

One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks acquire Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers this offseason.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Mavericks send Dāvis Bertāns, Jaden Hardy and the 10th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to the Pacers for Turner.

“The No. 10 pick may not do too much for Luka Dončić, but sending it out as part of a package for interior anchor Myles Turner absolutely would,” Buckley wrote. “Among the many reasons Dallas disappointed this past season was its tumble from seventh to 25th in defensive efficiency. Turner may not cure all of the Mavs’ ills on that end, but the two-time blocks champ would be a tremendous insurance policy on the back line.

“On offense, he’d be a potent pick-and-choose partner for Dončić (and Kyrie Irving, if he re-signs). Turner can pop out for threes (37.3 percent this season) or roll and finish at the rim. When the Texas native wouldn’t be directly involved in the action, he could spot up and keep the offense properly spaced.”

Turner averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.3 blocks for the Pacers this season while shooting 54.8% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 78.3% from the free-throw line. The two-time blocks champion was born and raised in Bedford, Texas.

“As for the Pacers, it could be a few seasons before this core fully hits its stride, and who knows what level Turner, who turned 27 in March, will be at by then,” Buckley wrote. “They could get more mileage, then, out of the lottery pick and 20-year-old scoring guard Jaden Hardy, even if they had to eat the remainder of Dāvis Bertāns’ deal to get this done.”

Turner will make $20.9 million next season. He signed a two-year, $58 million extension with the Pacers in January 2023.