INDIANAPOLIS, IN – With the 11th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Myles Turner – a 6’11” big from the University of Texas. Oh yeah, and he’s only 19 years old. This is why a small, almost harmless injury is in fact a huge detriment to Turner’s development. Although the injury is known to be one that is easy to come back from, Turner is missing valuable time in the early stages of his career.

Almost no one comes into the NBA, especially at 19 years old, and immediately dominates – unless your name is LeBron James or Michael Jordan. It’s because rookies aren’t adjusted. They aren’t adjusted to the NBA speed, the NBA strength, or the NBA style. As quoted by Turner on NBA.com’s Rookie Diary,

“I never would have expected this as the start to my career. Nobody wants to face an injury. I was just starting to get some rhythm going. I just started playing a substantial amount of minutes, about 15, 20 minutes in the rotation. I was doing my role and doing pretty well and building my trust with coach, and it just happened out of nowhere. Of course I was a little frustrated. But once I get back I know I’ll come back stronger.”

So just when will he come back? ESPN reported that the injury would put Turner out for four weeks. Bleacher Report then updated the media that it would be six weeks. Well, it’s now been six weeks and there’s still no 19 year-old 6’11” rookie on the court for the Pacers.

“I’m hoping to be back right around New Year’s. I’ll probably miss the rest of this month and then get back out there in early January. I know it’s going to be tough after missing so much time, but I’m working on my conditioning right now. The biggest thing is getting back in running shape, moving around the floor. You can do all the treadmill stuff you want, but there’s nothing that can replace being on the floor. I’m getting my wind and my legs back under me. That’s probably the biggest thing, getting my conditioning back up.”

It will be nice for Pacers fans to have Turner back on the court. He’s an exciting player that fits the new NBA style and has been referred to as the “steal of the draft.” Not only can he shoot, but he can block shots. In fact, he was the first freshman, 6’10” or taller, in Division I history to record 17 threes and 89 blocks as reported on draft night. Through his first eight NBA games, Turner averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.9 minutes.

As for where he’ll fit in with the rotation, there are a few possibilities.

The obvious answer is that he’ll return where he left off – coming off the bench. However, this author isn’t sure that the Pacers would leave Lavoy Allen or Jordan Hill as the odd man out of the second unit. After all, Allen started in Monday’s game against the Spurs and Hill has six double-doubles this season.

It is a possibility that Myles Turner could eventually find himself in the starting lineup. This would most likely send C.J. Miles or Ian Mahinmi to the second unit – or even more interestingly, Monta Ellis. Nate McMillan, an assistant coach, has been quoted saying that Monta Ellis and Paul George could play separately. This would make the second unit Rodney Stuckey, Monta Ellis, Chase Budinger, Lavoy Allen, and Jordan Hill.

No matter which scenario occurs, it is certain that Myles Turner will provide not only depth, but a scoring punch for this Pacers team. Hurry up, January!