Pacers’ Myles Turner Says He Is ‘Numb’ To Trade Rumors

Myles Turner has heard it all in his seven NBA seasons, all with the Pacers.

Mostly, the center has heard his name mentioned in countless trade rumors. Most recently, those involve the Lakers, as the Pacers reportedly discussed — and declined — a deal involving Turner, Pacers guard Buddy Hield and Lakers guard Russell Westbrook.

“This is my fifth offseason with trade rumors going on,” Turner said, via Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “‘He’s going to land here; he’s going to do this. He going to do that.’ I am finally numb to it, in a sense. So that’s another thing that I was proud of myself for as well. I was able to immerse myself in the experience of Africa as opposed to my own personal life or my own selfish reasons.”

Previously, Turner had also been strongly linked to the Hornets, as well as several others. In 2020, the Cavaliers also reportedly discussed a trade for Turner.

“The way I’m perceiving everything now, my outlook is I’m in great shape right now,” he said, via Spears. “I’ve worked my way back for my injuries. And just carry myself as a professional as I always have. Whether that’s in [Pacers] training camp or whether that’s a training camp somewhere else, I’m going to go and be myself.

“And that’s all anybody, that’s all I can expect for myself. It’s definitely a proving season for me. Just proving it to myself, what I’m capable of. Playing a five position, something that’s obviously very important to me. Something that I’m looking forward to doing this year. My mentality is solid. I’m good to go and everything’s tight in my corner.”

Turner, 26, averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and a whopping 2.8 blocked shots before his season was cut short with a foot injury. He appeared in 42 games overall last season, shooting 51 percent from the field.