The Indiana Pacers firmly took Myles Turner’s name out of the NBA trade rumor mill, where he has long occupied, with a brand new two-year contract extension that takes him through the end of the 2024-25 season, and gave Turner some security.
The new deal provides Turner an additional $60 million and is salary-cap friendly to the Pacers.
“Definitely there’s a sense of relief knowing there’s some security and you can just play the game,” Turner said following a news conference (h/t ESPN). “It (the trade rumors) is something I’ve been through my entire career. But I wanted to be here in Indy.”
“As a staff, we were hoping this day would come very desperately,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Over the last year and a half, since he transitioned back to his natural position, the 5, we’ve seen tremendous things.”
Turner is averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 54.4% from the field and 39.3% on 3-pointers and among the league’s top rim protectors.
“I think it made it easy, when given the full-time position at the 5. That’s something I was definitely what I was looking for,” Turner said. “Given the situation I’m in now where I do get to see expanded minutes at the 5, that was one of the main things I was looking for.”
