Pacers

Pacers Notes: Buddy Hield, Rick Carlisle, Myles Turner

October 3, 2023

Shooting guard Buddy Hield said he’s ready to roll despite the pause in talks on a contract extension.

Hield has been the subject of trade rumors recently, but the Pacers appear content to keep him.

“There’s nothing on my mind,” Hield said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “It’s basketball. It’s fun. I approach it as every training camp, especially like I did last year, coming focused and ready and just get the work in. I’m excited to work with these guys. It’s a fun group of guys.

“There’s a lot of competition and it’s fun. We have a great coaching staff and great team that’s ready to put in the work and teammates that love each other. I’m excited and I can’t wait.”

Coach Rick Carlisle also appeared confident that the Hield situation won’t be a distraction.

“He and I talk virtually every day about something,” Carlisle said, via Dopirak. “We’ve talked extensively about his situation. I know he’s going to come in and compete. He’s a guy who has the unique ability to compartmentalize external things because of his love and focus on the game. He lives in the gym.

“It’s our hope that we can work out an agreement to have him here long term. If it doesn’t happen right away or whatever, that’s OK. That’s OK. He’s still going to bring what he brings that’s very unique to our situation. He’s a very special guy and a guy I look forward to seeing every day.”

Turner Talks Accountability

Meanwhile, center Myles Turner said he’s confident the Pacers will have more accountability this season as they look to build on last year.

Once we get on the court, we’ve got to push each other,” Turner said, via Tony East of SI.com. “Real friends help each other get to that next spot. Holding each other accountable is going to be a big thing this year. If Turner wants that to be the case, he’s going to have to be a leader on and off the court.

“I think I personally really harped on, even last year, I’d see something and bite my tongue. I’m not at liberty to do that anymore. Accountability is going to be huge for this team this year.”