Prior to the 2021 trade deadline, J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star reported that the Hornets, Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, and Pelicans were among the teams to express interest in Pacers big man Myles Turner. With Turner possibly available again this summer in trade talks, many of those teams could renew their interest in the NBA’s shot-blocking leader.
Exploring that possibility, Michael tweets that the Hornets and Timberwolves are the teams that seem to “really” want Turner. Michael speculates (via Twitter) that Charlotte would be the team most likely to make an aggressive trade offer for the 25-year-old if the Pacers are willing to move him.
Here’s more out of Indiana:
- If the Bucks decide to move on from Mike Budenholzer after their season ends, he’d move to the top of the Pacers’ list of potential head coaching candidates, league sources tell J. Michael. Michael adds that G League Ignite coach Brian Shaw, formerly a Pacers assistant, is also expected to be a serious candidate for the job.
- In a subscriber-only piece for The Indianapolis Star, Michael takes a look at the factors that led to Nate Bjorkgren‘s ouster after just one season. One league executive described Bjorkgren’s coaching style as “fake positivity,” according to Michael, who also provides details on Bjorkgren’s tendency to micro-manage and his failure to hold players accountable. Michael adds that the first-year coach “made sure those beneath him knew their place,” which lines up with a May report that stated Bjorkgren didn’t treat his assistants particularly well.
- Although the Pacers haven’t ruled out blowing up their roster, team owner Herb Simon may be averse to that idea, according to Michael, who suggests the club seems likely to bring back Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon, and T.J. Warren.
Won’t Budenholzer be at (or at least near) the top of the list for every team in need of a head coach (except the Bucks, obviously)?
Only the teams that want to appear to have success without concern for the viability of contending for a championship.
Most accurate description of the Pacers ever.
Not sure but I like that the NBA is already running on the assumption he’s already been fired lol
Pacers seem like a good bet to bounce back next year. They could do a lot worse than Budenholzer, he’d get them back on track at least. Probably not winning in the playoffs though.
Which is the Pacers MO since blowing up the PG group. “oh we’re successful” no, you make the playoffs and are then fodder for the better teams.
Today
Top 3 teams are interested in Myles Turner
1 Wolves
2 Hornets
3 Celtics
Need third team to help
Beasley and pick to third team
Graham and pick to third team
Smart and pick to third team
Pacers trade Turner to upgrade
So you’re pointing out what the article just read. Insightful.
When I think that the Celtics could have had him as part (PART!) of a trade for Hayward, it makes me just a little nauseous.
Really, that was one of Danny’s biggest missteps. Even if they didn’t love Turner they could’ve flipped him at the deadline for a haul. Multiple reports cited the offer was Turner AND a 1st for Hayward . ugh
I dont get this narrative that they could have had it. I remember that being speculation, and to me, it made very little sense for Indiana to make that trade
But it made perfect sense to them (evident for 2 years), which is all that matters. The S&T discussions were openly acknowledged by the parties, and the players involved were not only reported widely, but were the only ones that did make sense based on contracts.
I think it was more or less confirmed that Turner and McDermott was a done deal for Hayward if Danny gave the OK. Hayward wanted to be back in Indiana and Indiana apparently agreed to the deal on their end.
Danny, I believe, was trying to get them to throw Oladipo in the deal in place of Doug, and that’s when Charlotte came in with the godfather offer and that was that. That’s how I remember it being told by Lowe/Woj, at least, and they’re usually pretty plugged in.
I think most would prefer Turner and McDermott to a Fournier rental, no doubt. And the irony of it all is McDermott ended up being a more valuable player this year than Oladipo.
Coach Bjorkgren was great
confidant for Nick Nurse and he sat beside him during Raps championship season. All that reporting about his autocratic style and quoting unnamed exec is just ridiculous. Give the guy a break, he came up from a humble coaching background and he won’t be getting a HC gig for some time.
So great he lost his job after one lackluster underachieving season.
I’m sure he’s not as bad as some say, but “great” is clearly not correct.
He said he was a “great confidant” for Nick Nurse, not that he was a great coach. You gotta read past the first four words dude.
Like Curtis said, OP meant to say ‘great confidant’. I think he just hit the return key instead of the space bar by accident.
They shouldnt move Myles Turner unless they get something significant. If Charlotte somehow gets him without giving up certain pieces, I feel like they’d be very dangerous.
Ball, Rozier, Heyward, Washington, Turner
Bridges, Monk, McDaniels, Caleb Martin, FA big/possible step forward from Nick Richards, Grant Riller would be a really strong rotation
Pacers get Wood, House
Rockets get Oubre, Paschal and Warriors 14th pick
Warriors get Turner
14th pick has 4 year value and RFA value
That’s insulting for the Pacers.
I wonder if they’ll dangle Brogdon at all. Seemed he didn’t like playing with LeVert that much?
If so that would be an interesting piece to bring up to Dallas or Portland for KP or CJM…
Brogdon was better 2 years ago. Not sure it’s enough change the move CJM. He isn’t an elite defender based on metrics. Turner would be a good fit, if the moved Nurkic.
Turner on the hornets would be lit…
Some of the teams interested in Turner at the deadline were likely trying to see if the buy low window that the Pacers maintained the prior to two off seasons was still in effect, in light of Turner being in the process of having a very strong year.
My sense is that the window closed then (since there were no reported negotiations after the inquiries). In any event, a lot’s changed since the 2020 off season, and it’s almost certainly closed now. Doesn’t mean he won’t get traded, but the bargain shoppers are probably gone.