Indiana Pacers Receive: LaMarcus Aldridge ($24.0M 2020-21 Salary), SAS 2024 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected), SAS 2021 2nd Round Pick
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Myles Turner ($17.5M), T.J. McConnell ($3.5M), MIA 2022 2nd Round Pick (via IND)
Myles Turner has been one of the best defensive big men over the years, but the Pacers have surprisingly been taking calls on him this offseason according to reports. With rumors circulating about Turner’s future in Indiana and the Pacers having a lot of question marks about their future after losing in the first-round of the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the Spurs would be smart to take action and initiate this trade.
Only being 24-years old, Myles Turner has a lot of potential to be an All-Star caliber talent and with him being one of the best defensive players in the NBA already, he would fit the San Antonio Spurs system perfectly. Greg Popovich has always invested in great defensive frontcourt players and Myles Turner would be the latest to be added to the list, which would be beneficial to his career as well.
The San Antonio Spurs have always played through the low-post, which could elevate Turner’s offensive play. He has been under-utilized over the years by the Pacers on the offensive end of the court and could finally get his chance to prove his worth in the league with the Spurs. Given the chance in the low-post, Myles Turner could end up being one of the best two-way big men in the entire league and be the guy the Spurs look to build around for years to come.
On Indiana’s side of things, acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge helps them now. They have the roster to be able to contend in the Eastern Conference, but adding Aldridge adds a different element to this team. His ability to score in the mid-range and ability to stretch the floor not only opens up driving lanes for Victor Oladipo and T.J. Warren, but allows them to run a ton of action off-the-ball if Aldridge has the ball in the low-post.
If things do not go over well for the Pacers with Aldridge, then they get a future first-round pick out of the trade and have Victor Oladipo on an expiring contract anyways so they would have plenty of cap space to make some noise in free agency next offseason.
