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Myles Turner has not played since mid-January, and won't be back on the court anytime soon. The Indiana Pacers' veteran big man suffered a stress reaction in his foot against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 14, and though he didn't know it at the time, that injury would end his season. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Indiana big man is done for the rest of the year while he recovers from the injury.

This is the second consecutive season to end in injury for Turner. Last season, it was a toe injury that kept the veteran big man out of the lineup as the Pacers fought to reach the postseason. This time, it's the foot, but the stakes are far lower for a Pacers team that is currently positioned for a high lottery pick. The Pacers would no doubt prefer a healthy Turner, but the silver lining of being without their defensive anchor is how much it helps their draft position.

The Pacers (25-50) have the NBA's fifth-worst record, positioning them for their highest draft pick since they landed Rik Smits No. 2 overall in 1988. The Pacers underwent a mini rebuild at the deadline by trading a number of veterans. That includes Domantas Sabonis, the former teammate who worked in tandem with Turner at the center position in an awkward arrangement that suited neither. When Turner does eventually return to the Pacers, he will likely do so as their only full-time starting center. That should allow him to continue to grow as a player.

Turner, a 2023 free agent, will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason. The Pacers can use their cap space to give him a raise early if they'd like, but given his recent injury history, it's not clear how much they will be willing to pay for their defensive star. When Turner is on the floor, he's one of the rarest big men in basketball: a rim-protector who can make 3's. That player is incredibly valuable. But his health will dictate what his next deal will look like.