Pacers' Myles Turner Expected to Be Named in NBA Trade Rumors, Praises Paul George

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner said he was surprised by the lack of rumors he would be traded prior to the Feb. 8 deadline.

Turner has been a frequent subject of trade rumors in the past. During the 2023 offseason, reports indicated that the Pacers would move him if they got the chance to select Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 draft.

"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 has discussed the impact trade talks have had on him in the past. Prior to the 2023-24 season, the center said on the "Run Your Race" podcast (h/t the Indianapolis Star) that he had taken the frequent trade rumors "as a slight" before they eventually "toughened up my skin."

Despite those perennial rumors, Turner is in his ninth season of a Pacers career that began in 2015-16.

During his rookie campaign, Turner played alongside nine-time All-Star and current member of the Los Angeles Clippers Paul George. The two ended up playing 134 games together over two seasons before George was traded 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, who finished top-ten in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2019 and 2021, is leading the Pacers with 1.8 blocks per game as he averages 17.2 points through 52 starts this season.