Evan Turner: Philadelphia 76ers' 'Sam Hinkie Is Not My GM"

The deadline for the Philadelphia 76ers to extend Evan Turner's contract beyond the 2013-14 season came and went without a move from either side.

"There was nothing whatsoever," Turner told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Nothing was done. That's it. There was nothing to talk about. There was no discussion."

Assuming what he says is true—and really he has little to gain, if anything, by lying—the news seems startling. After all, we're still just over three years removed from Philly investing the No. 2 overall selection in Turner during the 2010 NBA draft.

Whether he's actually deserving of an extension could be up for debate. Last season saw the first double-digit scoring average of his career (13.3 points per game), and his career player efficiency rating is well below average (12.0).

Still, no contract talks at all between these sides? Seems strange.

Turner, though, told Pompey he wasn't surprised. "I didn't expect anything, because Hinkie is not my GM," he said. "He has his own plan for stuff, and that's pretty much it."

Ah, yes, Hinkie's plan. Sacrificing talent for spare parts and filling the 2014 lottery with as many ping-pong balls as possible, right? The one that seemed to be flipped on its head during Philly's stunning season-opening win over the two-time defending champion Miami Heat.

Does that plan involve Turner? Possibly, but it seems unlikely at this point.

Philly still has until June 30 to offer him an $8.7 million qualifying offer, but Pompey doesn't think Turner will stick with Philly beyond this season. Assuming, of course, he isn't dealt to a contending team before next summer.

Turner's possible extension had been a talking point in Philly—apparently for everyone but the people who needed to have those talks—but he told Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News that it wasn't a distraction. "I just show up and work hard," Turner said. "I'll be somewhere next year, so all that other stuff doesn't bother me."

Maybe that uncertainty didn't distract him. Perhaps keeping his options open added an element of excitement to what could be a long season.

But would have a phone call have hurt? It seems like Philly could have given some sort of indication, even if he'd already read the writing on the wall.

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