Kristina Roberts
For years, Myles Turner’s name was tossed around in trade rumors. Fans and analysts always saw him as the perfect fit for other teams, the “missing piece” that could turn a contender into a champion. Yet, through all the speculation, Turner stayed put with the Indiana Pacers, the team that drafted him back in 2015. Now, in the 2025 NBA Finals, his patience and loyalty have finally paid off.
Turner has been a steady force for the Pacers, playing more games in an Indiana jersey than most players do with their original teams. Among active players, only stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum have played more games for the team that drafted them. That’s rare in today’s NBA, where big trades and free-agent moves happen all the time. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s now a superstar, was traded after his rookie year and hasn’t come close to Turner’s number of games with one team.
“I’m a loyal guy,” Turner told Yahoo Sports. “It’s always kind of been my calling card. I wanted to finish what I started. Of course, it is flattering for teams to see your value, want you to be part of their system. But I wanted to do it where I was drafted.”
Turner’s journey with the Pacers hasn’t been easy. He’s seen teammates come and go, coaches change, and the team go through ups and downs. He played alongside Paul George and Monta Ellis early in his career, then later with Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo when they were the faces of the franchise. He’s played under different coaches—Frank Vogel, Nate McMillan, Nate Bjorkgren, and now Rick Carlisle. Through it all, he remained focused on improving and helping his team win.
At one point, it seemed like Turner’s time in Indiana might be over. When the Pacers had both him and Sabonis, two talented big men, rumors swirled about who would stay and who would go. In the 2021-22 season, the Pacers made their choice—they traded Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that brought Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana. Even though Turner was injured at the time, the move showed that the Pacers believed in him as their long-term center.
“It was a lot of things. You know, my first initial emotion was, you feel a little rejected,” Turner said about the trade rumors. “You feel like your value doesn’t hold the same weight you thought it did, but then you start to learn it’s just part of a business.”
The trade turned out to be a turning point for the Pacers. Haliburton became the floor leader the team needed, and Turner returned to his natural position at center. The team struggled at first, winning only five games after the trade deadline that season, but the pieces were falling into place. Two years later, the Pacers made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, and now, in 2025, they’re competing for an NBA championship.
“It took a lot of patience,” Turner said. “I wouldn’t call it waiting my turn, but just staying down. Just doing things the right way and letting the rest take care of itself.”
Turner’s game has evolved over the years. He’s not just a shot-blocking big man anymore—he’s developed into a reliable scorer, a solid rebounder, and a leader on the court. This season, he averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, proving he’s one of the most versatile centers in the league. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and protect the rim on defense makes him a perfect fit for today’s NBA.
Coach Rick Carlisle has praised Turner’s focus and loyalty. “He’s extremely loyal. He has a great ability to focus on what’s important,” Carlisle said. “Over the years, I think all players that are really good players, at some time or another, likely have their name involved in trade rumors. Whether it’s leaked by another team, whether it’s somebody that just is throwing stuff on the wall, creating content, whatever it is.”
Now, as Turner plays in the NBA Finals, he’s proving that staying with one team and grinding through tough times can lead to success. While other players chase rings by switching teams, Turner chose to build something in Indiana. His loyalty has been rewarded, and he’s become a key reason why the Pacers are competing for a championship.
For fans who have watched Turner grow over the years, his success is no surprise. He’s always had the talent, the work ethic, and the mindset of a winner. The only surprise is that he’s still wearing a Pacers jersey after all these years—and that’s something Indiana fans wouldn’t change for the world.
As the Finals continue, Turner’s story serves as a reminder that patience and loyalty still matter in professional sports. Not every player needs to jump teams to find success. Sometimes, staying the course and believing in the process leads to the greatest rewards. And for Myles Turner, that reward is a chance to bring a championship to the city that drafted him and the fans who never stopped believing in him.
