Myles Turner has departed the Indiana Pacers, and there were multiple factors involved in his exit.
For years Myles Turner has been involved in trade rumors, but his commitment to the Indiana Pacers never wavered.
That’s why it was a major shock to see the Pacers part ways with Turner in free agency, to sign with rivals the Milwaukee Bucks.
After helping the Pacers reach the NBA Finals, Turner was in demand, and the Bucks signed him to a $107 million deal over four years.
Myles Turner leaving the Indiana Pacers was an unexpected move, and it was claimed that the two sides were not far apart on salary.
One aspect that influenced the Pacers’ decision was a move from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPN report that the Timberwolves’ move to re-sign Naz Reid at an expensive price ended up having a ripple effect on the Pacers, costing them Myles Turner.
The report states: “Minnesota signing center Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million contract last week already had complicated the Pacers-Turner negotiations.
“Turner, a starter on a Finals team, justifiably had reason to believe he was worth more than the $25 million annual value for Reid, a backup big man for Minnesota.”
Turner signed a four-year deal at an annual $26.75 million per year with the Milwaukee Bucks, higher than Naz Reid.
The impact the Timberwolves’ extension for Naz Reid had on Myles Turner and the Pacers is a reminder that teams who move early can hold an advantage.
One deal can set the tone for another, and if the Indiana Pacers had been quicker, Naz Reid’s deal might not have had such an impact on their negotiations.
Now they are searching for a replacement to shore up their team, which is already without Tyrese Haliburton next season after his Achilles injury.
Former NBA star Patrick Beverley believes Haliburton’s injury was a key factor in the Pacers deciding not to go all out to extend Turner.
