Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner denied the notion he leaked details of teammate Victor Oladipo openly inquiring about trade destinations.
J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star reported Oladipo had asked players on opposing teams about playing with them in front of his own teammates. The leak did not sit well with Oladipo's sister, Victoria.
Victoria quote-tweeted the report, asking what kind of teammates would sell her brother out in this manner.
One fan singled out Turner, prompting Victoria to respond with a pair of emojis. This led to Turner himself entering the conversation and saying âDamn, it's like that?â
Interestingly enough, the two players have often been associated with one another as the Pacers look to navigate a tricky offseason.
Michael had also reported Pacers president Kevin Pritchard has explored three-team deals involving both Oladipo and Turner.
There appears to be at least some level of internal turmoil in Indiana, considering how fast things have soured.
The Pacers had engaged Oladipo in contract extension talks prior to the start of the year, despite the fact he was still rehabbing from a ruptured quad tendon suffered in January of 2019.
Oladipo has just one year remaining on his current deal, but the Pacers seemed willing to discuss an extended partnership. At least, they were before the former All-Star struggled in his return.
The situation with Turner is quite different. Turner is in just the second season of a four-year, $80 million. But the emergence of Domantas Sabonis has made his role something of an unknown going forward.
Indiana is hardly a franchise known for sparking drama. But there figures to be plenty more for the Pacers before the start of the 2020-21 season next month.