The Boston Celtics have been looking for a center for a few years now. They do not have the cap space to just sign a good center, but the team has plenty of assets to trade for one. Myles Turner for the past season has been rumored to be moved, and one of the bigger teams to be interested in the center is the Celtics.
In Need of a Center
The Celtics have the assets to obtain Turner from the Indiana Pacers. He is only 24 years old and is a premier rim protector. That is a quality that the Celtics have not had since Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins back in the early 2010’s. Turner averaged 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks last season. His defense is valuable and highly sought after. Turner can defend both centers and wings, as he is very mobile and agile for his size. The downside to Turner is his rebounding ability. The young center is not very aggressive with boxing out and is easily blocked out from the rim. Rebounding has been a major issue for the Celtics. Although Turner has a rebounding flaw, his defense is enough to gain interest from the Celtics.
Boston would have to trade a big contract in order to get Turner. Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward have both been in the rumors that send them to Indiana for Turner. For Boston, it would be wise to keep Walker as he is the only true point guard on the team currently. Hayward is more expandable due to his short term contract.
The Trade
Indiana Receives:
- Gordon Hayward (1 year; 34.1 million)
- 2020 first round pick (14th overall)
- 2020 first round pick (26th overall)
Boston Receives:
- Myles Turner (3 years; 17.5 million)
- Jeremy Lamb (2 years; 10.5 million)
Indiana’s Perspective
Indiana is in a tough situation. It has been rumored that their star player in Victor Oladipo wants out. They also do not have another star but have some quality role players. They are not good enough to be contending, and they are not bad enough to miss the playoffs. With their current roster, they could start a rebuild and sell their players for picks. In which this trade would benefit that movement. They would receive two first round picks, both in 2020. Although they are not high picks, they are still valuable to rebuilding teams. Each rookie, no matter where they are drafted, is capable of becoming the next superstar of the league.
Along with the two first round picks, they receive a one-year rental in Gordon Hayward. Hayward is a valuable player, a player that succeeds in every category. Even if Hayward does not work out in his home state in Indiana, they will not have to pay him after this upcoming year. In this trade, they will also be shedding Lamb’s contract. The Pacers were paying Lamb 10.5 million a year, and although he is a great role player his injury record was making the contract look ridiculous.
Boston’s Perspective
For Boston, the Celtics will finally have a rim protector. Turner can also spread the floor, as he can shoot threes. Not a deadly shooter from three, but a capable one that forces defenses to guard him outside of the paint. Turner is not a heavily involved offensive player. This allows them to free up more shots to Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics also receive a role player that can shoot. Lamb was playing his best basketball in Indiana. Shooting 45% from the field and 33% from three, averaging 12.5 points. Although he will be an injury concern, the team would not be relying on Lamb. He would be just a great asset to an abysmal bench. Pairing Lamb with Marcus Smart would create one of the better backcourt duos off the bench.
The Center Situation in Boston
The current centers on the roster are Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, and Enes Kanter. All three of these players are capable of running the center position. However, each one of them has a major flaw in their game. Theis is a great defender, but is always in foul trouble and can be a liability on offense for a long stretch of time. Williams is young and still developing. He is a tremendous rebounder and can finish at high efficiency in the paint. But, he can not spread the floor, or defend smaller players. Kanter is only offense. He has no accountability on defense and is one of the worst defenders in the league. Having Turner allows the team to move on from either Theis or Kanter while they still have some value.
Turner will also be able to help Williams develop as he is a complete center, and has offensive potential. This move could also mean more playing time to Tacko Fall. If Theis and Kanter are moved due to Turner’s appearance, Fall will have a better opportunity to get more playing time with fewer centers on the roster.
This trade can only happen if Hayward opts into his player option. It was rumored by Ryen Russillo that Hayward wanted out of Boston. Unless the Celtics promise Hayward a trade, it could damage the chances of a move happening. If Hayward opts out, the Celtics would have to give up Walker who is a much more valuable player to the team’s current roster.
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