According to a report released on Monday, the Phoenix Suns have quietly scouted Indiana’s star center, Myles Turner, as part of their offseason plans. NBA insider Jake Fischer says Phoenix “has done some background work” on a Myles Turner trade (along with Celtics big Kristaps Porziņģis). They search for a floor-spacing center and seek a landing spot for Kevin Durant. The buzz comes amid ongoing Durant trade speculation and Phoenix’s commitment to build around Devin Booker.
Phoenix’s interest in Turner is rooted in roster fit. Turner stands tall at 7 feet and packs a punch as the league’s top three-point shooting big man, with a career-best 39.6% from deep. He averaged 14.8 points and blocked shots 2.2 times per game in the 2025 playoffs. Turner helped Indiana make it to the NBA Finals. He will likely become an unrestricted free agent soon, meaning Phoenix needs some sort of Myles Turner trade deal pretty badly to acquire him.
Insiders note Indiana plans to re-sign Turner, with mutual interest reported on June 8. Thus, Phoenix could only pursue him using assets from a potential Durant deal.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton listed the Warriors and Lakers as potential landing spots for Myles Turner — if a deal with the Pacers falls through. A sign-and-trade is possible, but “complicated.” pic.twitter.com/ECQF8VSDCH
— Ball Report (@BallReportX) May 27, 2025
Phoenix Suns Pursue Myles Turner
With Kevin Durant’s future uncertain, the Suns are exploring a deal for Myles Turner to pair with Devin Booker and address their need for a floor-spacing big.
Turner’s defense and three-point shooting would fill a gap in Phoenix’s lineup. Team sources say the Suns view a Turner acquisition as part of a broader move, not a standalone trade. Without cap space, Phoenix would need a sign-and-trade, likely involving players and draft picks.
One scenario under consideration includes dealing Durant as part of a three-team trade to clear space for Turner. But both Phoenix and Boston are above the luxury-tax apron, complicating that possibility.
In the short term, Phoenix is also tracking Kristaps Porziņģis as a potential alternative, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. Both centers offer perimeter shooting and rim protection — two needs that become more urgent if the Suns move on from Durant.
Turner would give Phoenix a veteran big who can anchor the paint and stretch the floor, reshaping the roster in the post-Durant era.
Myles Turner’s Role and Stats
Turner has been Indiana’s full-time starting center, playing a key role in the Pacers’ title run. He knocked down a career-best 39.6% of his threes this past season and averaged roughly 15 points per game in the playoffs. While Turner missed time with a mild illness in Game 3 of the Finals, coach Rick Carlisle praised his locker-room leadership and focus. The coach said Turner is “extremely loyal”:
He’s extremely loyal. He has a great ability to focus on what’s important. 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.
Carlisle said, according to Yahoo.
Statistically, Turner has been steady, scoring roughly 13–15 points and blocking 2–3 shots per game in the Finals so far. Insiders agree the Pacers view Turner as a cornerstone, with ongoing Turner trade rumors suggesting Indiana will pay luxury tax this summer to keep him, which could limit Phoenix’s chances.
Per, @jovanbuha, Myles Turner could hit the trade market as the Pacers reportedly hesitate to pay him over $30M on his next contract.
— Ball Report (@BallReportX) January 27, 2025
Turner is considered a dream target for the Warriors, who have been pursuing him for years. pic.twitter.com/6SI0dMBHlu
With playoff basketball continuing, lower-priority details are surfacing. The Pacers split the first four Finals games and face Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday. Turner, who was sidelined by illness for Game 3, has since been cleared to return. In Game 4, he showed his usual impact. Indiana notes Turner is averaging about 2.7 blocks per game in the Finals. Even as he and the team nurse minor setbacks.
The Suns, for their part, remain focused on reshaping the roster around Booker. However, every trade rumor involving Durant will have eyes on whether Turner’s name resurfaces in a Myles Turner trade scenario.
READ: Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: Suns Star’s Potential Destinations Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Speculation
