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Indiana Pacers: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Holden Walter-Warner

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers react in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers react in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Indiana Pacers Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

2. Myles Turner

The best selection the Pacers have made in the past five drafts is the big man out of Texas, Myles Turner. If he remains with the franchise long-term, he could prove to be one of the best first-round selections of the decade for the team.

Turner was selected with the 11th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. He was sensational as a freshman with the Longhorns and promised to bring athleticism and size to the center position in Indiana.

He struggled with a thumb injury at the start of his rookie season but eventually came on strong, including a star-making 31-point performance against the Golden State Warriors in January. Turner averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, finishing on the All-Rookie Second Team despite playing just 60 games and making just 30 starts.

Since then, Turner has consistently performed as an above-average center for the Pacers. His best season was arguably his second when he averaged 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. During the 2018-19 season, Turner averaged 2.7 blocks per game, leading the NBA.

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Before the pause, Turner was averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He’s almost halfway through a four-year, $72 million extension, but his shine has been dulled by the emergence of teammate Domantas Sabonis. Don’t let that ruin the value Turner brings to the Pacers year in and year out.

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