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Last year, when Jrue Holiday got a contract extension right before the deadline on opening night, it was a load off the point guard’s mind. With no contract talks to worry about, Holiday went out and put together a first half of the season worthy of an All-Star berth.
This year, it’s Evan Turner’s turn to wait on a contract extension. Heading into the last season of his rookie contract, the Sixers have until midnight on Oct. 30 to sign Turner to an extension.
If they do not sign him, Turner can become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
So with the deadline quickly approaching, Turner says there really isn’t too much negotiating going on between the Sixers and his agent David Falk. At least there are not any talks as far as he knows.
“There’s nothing really to talk about,” Turner said after Monday’s exhibition loss to the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center (see Instant Replay).
Holiday was one of the bigger names to get an extension at the deadline last year. However, players like Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings did not get extensions and used the fact to motivate them throughout the season.
And then they signed with new teams during the offseason.
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However, Turner knows the circumstances have changed with the Sixers since he joined the team for the 2010-11 season. During his first three years in the league, Turner and the Sixers were focused on going deep into the playoffs.
That’s not the case this season. Either way, Turner isn’t upset or worried. If he gets an extension, great. If not, oh well.
“I’m not upset about it,” Turner said. “I know what type of player I’m going to be and I know who I am and I know what I’ve done. Obviously, we have a different situation. We switched GMs and we switched which direction we’re going, but I’m not going to sit here and be upset. I’m going to get money -- whether I get it now or later, I’ve been blessed to be financially stable.”
Plus, it really isn’t about the money. Turner understands that basketball careers don’t last too long and if he can get in a position to win in the playoffs, that’s the goal.
“What I think is kind of funny is when I look around and see what’s going on, that’s what I laugh about,” Turner said. “I think it’s going to be something good in the bigger picture. If I focus on winning, then everything will be all right.
Turner led the Sixers in scoring (23 points), rebounds (five) and assists (four) in the loss to the Nets on Monday. In four exhibition games, Turner leads the Sixers with 19.8 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the floor.