Myles Turner will become part of a select group this season as he marks his 10th year playing for the Indiana Pacers. Selected as the 11th pick in the 2015 draft, Turner joins an exclusive group of Pacers players who have played for ten years with the team, solidifying his place in franchise history with the likes of Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, and Jeff Foster.
Climbing the Franchise Leaderboards
Turner currently has the highest number of blocks in Pacers’ history, with 1,268 and still increasing. This season, he is ready to climb even higher in the franchise’s record books. Playing an additional 16 games will advance him to the sixth spot in games played for the Pacers. Moreover, Turner is just 180 points away from overtaking Paul George for the eighth spot in scoring. Also he needs 305 more rebounds to surpass Reggie Miller in the rebounding rankings.
A Rarity in the NBA
It is unusual for a player to stay with one team for a long time in the current NBA landscape. Turner is among the small number of players from the 2015 draft class who are still playing for their original team. Turner, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, and Kevon Looney, embodies loyalty and dedication amidst a period of high player turnover. Furthermore, just five current players have remained with the team that originally drafted them, such as Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A Journey Worth Celebrating
Turner has faced both obstacles and successes during his time with the Pacers. He played a crucial part in Indiana’s successful playoff journey last season. Moreover, leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014. Looking back on his ten-year professional experience, Turner showed appreciation for the path he had taken. He stated that the journey had been amazing for him. “I have been patient in reaching this stage and now I am focused on continuing to grow.”
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