Following extension, Pacers take Myles Turner 'off the trade block'

Since entering the NBA in 2015, Myles Turner has seen his namesurface in trade rumors constantly. One could argue thathe's been featured in the rumor mill more than any other NBA playerover that span.

Despite all of the rumblings, Turner has never actually beendealt. Even when the Indiana Pacers blew up their roster lastseason — trading away veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert,Torrey Craig, Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb — they ultimatelydecided to keep Turner.

Now, after signing a two-year, $60 million extension with thePacers (that includes a $17.1 million renegotiation of his 2022-23salary), it would seem that Turner isn't going anywhere.

On Monday, the team held a press conference to announce theextension and Pacers president of basketball operations KevinPritchard was asked if Turner is finally off the trade block.

"Yes, he's off the trade block!" Pacers head coach Rick Carlisleimmediately chimed in.

"One of the things that we've always believed in here is that ifyou sign a player, it's to sign a player; we don't sign a player totrade a player," Pritchard said. "And Myles has blossomed thisyear. We've seen the relationship with him and Ty [Haliburton];they're one of the best pick-and-roll [duos] in the league rightnow. This is the beginning of a nice core — no, a greatcore — and we signed Myles to be here. That's our goal."

"I'm here to stay," Turner added with a smile.

This season, Turner is averaging career-highs in points (17.5),rebounds (7.8), three-pointers (1.6), field goal percentage (54.4%)and three-point percentage (39.3%). Meanwhile, he continues todominate defensively, averaging 2.4 blocks (fourth-most in the NBA)and 0.6 steals.

Looking at Turner's advanced stats, he's also postingcareer-bests in True Shooting percentage (64.8%), total reboundpercentage (23.0%) and player efficiency rating (19.8).

"I'm gonna tell ya'll right now: I'm just getting started. Thebest version of myself is yet to come," Turner said. "I'm justleveling up each and every day."

"We've seen him play some of his best basketball this year andit really makes me proud to see Myles sitting here andaccomplishing what he's accomplished," Pritchard added. "And Ithink his best is still to come."