Pacers' Turner: 'I expect to make the playoffs this year'

Don't tell Myles Turner the new-look Indiana Pacers are going to be on the outside looking in when the NBA postseason gets underway next year.

"I feel like we’re definitely going to be overlooked this year," Turner said of Indiana's chances on SiriusXM NBA Radio, according to The Indy Star's Matthew VanTryon. "A lot of people look at us as young team that’s going to rebuild, but we’re a young team that’s trying to compete. We’ve got a lot of guys who can come in and make an impact right away. I expect to make the playoffs this year."

Trading four-time All-Star Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder unofficially signaled a rebuild for the Pacers, who barely eked into the playoffs last season (42-40) before exiting in a four-game sweep in the opening round to the Cleveland Cavaliers. There's a slew of new pieces to incorporate for head coach Nate McMillan, including Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis (both acquired from the Thunder), Cory Joseph, Darren Collison, Bojan Bogdanovic, and rookie T.J. Leaf.

Losing George also thrusts Turner into a much larger role than he probably expected this early in his career at just 21 years old. At the very least, Turner doesn't sound like he'll be shying away from taking on more responsibilities both on and off the court, despite being one of the youngest players on the roster.

"I want to start establishing myself as a leader in this league and on this team," he said. "I know I’m quite young compared to a lot of guys on this team, but the best time is to start young."

The Pacers have been a mainstay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture for the past seven years, failing to qualify only once since 2011. Should they secure their spot in 2017-18, it would be quite the remarkable achievement considering the makeover they've undergone personnel-wise.