A day after their much-needed win against the Spurs in San Antonio, the Knicks travel to Indiana to face the Pacers.
Indiana, according to The Athletic, has pivoted into rebuilding mode and is open to trading players like Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and Caris LeVert.
Teams have been under the impression that Turner was available for the right price in each of the past two offseasons. But the Pacers, presumably, never received a package that met their asking price.
If the Pacers are indeed content to rebuild, you’d think they’d be more open to moving Turner, Sabonis, LeVert and other veterans on the roster.
From a Knicks perspective, it’s worth noting that New York and Indiana checked in prior to the 2021-22 season and Turner’s name came up. Talks at that time didn’t progress very far, per SNY sources.
It’s unclear if New York currently has interest in Turner. But they talked to Indiana and Turner was among the players discussed, so it’s fair to assume some decision-makers had interest in Turner prior to the season.
Also, some Knicks decision-makers felt last season that the club needed a big man who can stretch the floor. Turner, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023, is shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc this season.
The 25-year-old is making $17.5 million per year. So the Knicks would have several ways to meet the salary conditions for a Turner trade. It’s logical to assume they’d move one of their three centers in any Turner transaction.
Starting next Wednesday, teams can include free agents who were signed over the summer in trades.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 10.
