In a deal presently dead, Turner frequently appears in trade rumors, most notably for Russell Westbrook to the Lakers, but there are other speculations.
The big man brushes these reports aside like a guard attempting to assault him in the lane. Turner has an excellent article on ESPN's Landscape that is well worth reading in which he discusses the effects of a trip to Tanzania in July and how being in Africa changed his perspective.
However, he also briefly addresses the trade rumors swirling around him for basketball.
.This is the fifth offseason when there have been trading speculations; he will arrive here and take this action; it is inevitable. He plans to carry it out. In a way, I've finally become numb to it.
I feel that everything is going well for me, and I feel healthy. I've gradually recovered from my wounds. Maintain my professional demeanor as I have always done. I'm going to go and be myself, whether that's at [Pacers] training camp or a training camp somewhere else. And that's all anyone can expect, even me. This is undoubtedly my season of proving myself.
. Just showing what I'm capable of to myself. Being able to play the five positions is very crucial to me.
I'm looking forward to accomplishing something this year. My thinking is sound. I'm ready to leave, and my corner is secure.
That is the mindset of an NBA veteran; Turner will go out and do what he does best because he understands that it is a business and has little influence over the outcome. Neglect the rumors.
Turner will be able to exercise control next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He blocks the most shots in league with 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game (2.8 per game last season). A stress reaction only hindered him in his foot that kept him from playing from mid-January till the end of the season.
Turner's salary for this season is $18 million, but if he performs well, he might be entitled to a raise. He is the sort of defensive rim defender and shot blocker who can anchor a defense and has a lifetime 3-point percentage of 34.9 percent. Given a chance, he is a capable modern big man who can assist many teams.
The Pacers are among those. If we get to watch him work with Tyrese Haliburton, that may be a fun pick-and-pop combination. Turner isn't allowing the speculations to affect him or his season, no matter what happens.
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