In addition to the Pistons, the Hawks are among the teams who have interest in center Myles Turner, reports Grant Afseth of RG.org. Turner, currently vying for a championship with the Pacers, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Reports in recent weeks have repeatedly indicated that the Pacers and Turner have interest in working out a new deal and that Indiana is willing to become a taxpayer for the first time since 2006 in order to make it happen. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) wrote on Sunday that there’s “strong sentiment” among league executives that Turner will remain in Indiana, with cap strategists projecting a deal in the range of $30MM per year.
However, Afseth says the Hawks are “monitoring Turner’s situation closely,” with their own veteran centers Clint Capela and Larry Nance Jr. headed for unrestricted free agency this offseason.
Even with Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Dyson Daniels wreaking havoc on the perimeter, Atlanta ranked just 18th in defensive rating in 2024/25. The team also came in at No. 18 in three-point percentage. Turner, a big man who can space the floor (.396 3PT% in 2024/25) and protect the rim (2.0 BPG), would be a major asset on both ends of the court.
Still, if the Pacers are committed to retaining Turner and he doesn’t want to go anywhere, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which he ends up in Atlanta. The Hawks don’t project to have cap room this summer, so barring some significant cost-cutting moves, the club would need Indiana’s cooperation to acquire Turner via sign-and-trade, which seems unlikely.
Since the Pacers hold Turner’s Bird rights, they’ll have the ability to offer any amount up to his maximum salary if they’re comfortable paying the associated luxury tax penalties.
Turner is going nowhere
Put out the 4/120 Indy and work on the rest later . All their players are in the green and with teams using the MLE as a trade exception just as much as a free agent tool you can always re-configure below the tax line at a later date if need be
Keep eyeing nobody wants that crap franchise.
Not going anywhere. Remember when Pacers restructured this current Turner Contract when had space, massively front loading. Obviously didn’t have to do that and no doubt sits well with Myles. You scratch my bad I’ll scratch yours. Only way Turner leaves Indy is via trade the Pacers can’t turn down.
Why? Okongwu is younger and is signed through 2028 for a lot smaller salary than Turner will command.
If Turner signs 4-year $120 million contract, Pacers does not need to pay luxury tax.
First year salary $26 mm and get rid of Tony Bradley
I’d rather we just ride with Onyeka, resign either Clint or Nance & trade up with Toronto for Derik Queen if he’s still there at 9 (13 & 22 for 9 & a future 2nd). Or if we want a Myles Turner type we can go get an even better version in DeAndre Ayton. Scoot, Ayton & a pick for Trae makes everybody happy.
“Even with Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Dyson Daniels wreaking havoc on the perimeter, Atlanta ranked just 18th in defensive rating in 2024/25. The team also came in at No. 18 in three-point percentage.”
If this doesn’t tell you Okongwu is not a Center. Then you will never know what the position means.
Now Sarr and Okongwu could of made up a big front line. Especially with Johnson at SF. Remember Sarr wanted no part of Hawks ….
Hawks with 13th pick this year could luck out with a big there. They have the 22nd pick also. Both are solid picks in this draft. That can bring in team needs
Will you at least admit that he does currently start in the NBA at 5 & has played the 5 exclusively for his entire basketball career, going back to 9th grade? And that he’s played the 5 well enough to lead his team to multiple CA state HS titles, earn a scholarship to USC as a 5, become a top10 pick as a 5, earn a $60M contract extension as a 5?