Pacers Urged to Make Surprising Myles Turner Decision
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The Indiana Pacers are still alive in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately, after blowing a chance to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4, the Pacers have lost the last two games and are now on the brink of elimination.
Heading back to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Thursday night, the team could see its season come to an end.
During the NBA Finals, Indiana has not received a good performance from one of its key pieces. Myles Turner has been relatively non-existent throughout the series.
Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 10, 2024 in...
Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More
Photo byThrough the first five games of the series, Turner has averaged just 13 points per game to go along with 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks, while shooting a dismal 41.7 percent from the floor and 22.7 percent from three-point range.
Read more: Report: Suns Receive Brutal Update About Kevin Durant Trade Talks
Against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, he also struggled. He averaged 13 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.5 assists in six games, shooting 56 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent from three-point distance.
With Turner set to need a new contract this offseason, the Pacers have a tough decision to make. It has been rumored that he wants to be paid around $30 million per season.
That is a lot of money for a player who has fallen apart in the NBA Finals.
To that end, NBA reporter Kevin O'Connor has suggested that Indiana should consider the idea of moving on from Turner. He thinks the Pacers could look into other options at the center position.
"Yeah. This NBA Finals has gone so poorly for Myles Turner, other than some real brief stretches, it is worth considering if the Pacers need to use their newfound draft capital to find an upgrade at center," O'Connor wrote on social media.
Read more: Lakers Eyeing Perfect Match at Center Position: Report
Just a few short weeks ago, Turner was viewed as an obvious re-sign candidate for Indiana. His collapse in the Finals has started casing doubt about paying him big money long-term.
Turner played in 72 games during the regular season. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.5 assists per game and shot 48.1 percent from the floor and 39.6 percent from the three-point line.
It will be very interesting to see what the Pacers decide to do this offseason. Turner still seems likely to be back in Indiana, but the decision isn't as clear as it once appeared to be.
For more on the Indiana Pacers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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