Boston Celtics Must Bring Back Evan Turner
With the franchise at a crossroads, the Boston Celtics must re-sign their best bench player, Evan Turner.
The Boston Celtics must bring back Evan Turner.
The reasoning is simple. Turner is a known commodity who does it all for Boston. He’s perfect in the Brad Stevens offensive system, as the third-year coach has completely revitalized the career of the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
He can play multiple positions on the floor, with good size for a wing and above-average size for a guard. Although he doesn’t shoot the ball well from three, he’s proven to have an above-average handle and passing abilities, and a lethal mid-range game.
Plus, Boston is a comfortable spot for the soon-to-be 28-year-old. He has developed as the Celtics’ sixth man, thriving in the role in his 28 minutes per game over the past two seasons.
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In the 2015-16 campaign, Turner enjoyed career-highs in field goal percentage (45.6 percent), two-point field goal percentage (48.2 percent) and free-throw percentage (82.7 percent).
Also, despite a well below-average three point field goal percentage (24.1 percent), Turner posted his highest true shooting percentage of his career, posting a 51.3 percent mark on the season.
Of course, for Turner, this career-season from a shooting perspective could not have come at a better time.
Remember, it was just three years ago, when Turner was traded from the 76ers to the Pacers, where he played some of his worst basketball of his career during their playoff run on a national stage. As a free agent-to-be at the time in 2014, Turner’s stock could not have been lower.
He eventually signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Celtics, hoping to increase his stock on a young rebuilding team with an up-and-coming coach.
After back-to-back solid seasons in Boston, it is time to cash in. Turner has clearly resurrected his career from its lowest point, and will likely be seeking a three or four year contract in the $12 million to $15 million range.
With an increasing salary cap, and not many palatable and realistic options available on the wing (sorry Kevin Durant truthers), the Celtics would be wise to keep their top bench scorer in the fold as they make their next step in the rebuilding process.
I understand with a plethora of draft picks at their disposal, the Celtics will need to give up some of their current players as the roster is currently constructed, in order to make the next step forward into a title contending team.
However, letting restricted free-agent Jared Sullinger walk, as well as coupling some draft picks and backcourt depth in a trade, is more palatable to me than giving up the best offensive threat off the bench that they currently possess.
With starting point guard Isaiah Thomas making a massive leap in his development, with his All-Star appearance proving that his offensive game is no fluke, the road to contention may not be quite as far away as once anticipated.
The Celtics have the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, which if used properly, can either bring in a young prospect with star-like potential, or can be the prime vehicle in a trade to land an All-Star frontcourt talent.
Boston Celtics
Some of the best teams in the NBA (Cleveland, Golden State) have strong bench depth to match their All-Star starting five. With Evan Turner in the fold, Boston can continue to build their next great championship team.
While some may perceive his contract as an overpay, a $12 million to $15 million dollar contract will be accurate market value for a player of Turner’s caliber, especially with the salary cap expanding due to the NBA’s new television deal during this offseason.
While Celtics fans may want to find a cheaper alternative, the team ultimately may not be able to find a dependable, team-player at the wing position this offseason who provides an offensive spark off the bench like Evan Turner.
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It’s a no-brainer.