The Boston Celtics need an answer at the center position and the Indiana Pacers need to break up the Domantas Sabonis-Myles Turner frontcourt. Could a trade between the two teams occur during the NBA offseason?
According to Legion Hoops Ross, the Celtics and Pacers have discussed a trade centered around Myles Turner— sending the 2018-19 NBA’s leading shot-blocker to Boston.
The appeal for the Celtics to pursue Turner via trade is quite clear. He is one of the NBA’s elite rim protectors and has real versatility being able to defend in space. The potential for Boston’s defense as a unit would substantially improve with a real anchor manning the middle.
Turner has intriguing intangibles offensively between his pick-and-pop jumper and general floor-spacing ability— he would pull defenders out of the paint for the Celtics’ stars. He also has shown to thrive getting to the rim out from space and can serve as a play finisher with his 7-foot-4 wingspan.
RELATED: 3 Trade Packages That Would Send Myles Turner To Celtics
The Pacers have been reluctant to trade Turner when considering how he’s been the anchor for their defense. In recent seasons, it has been the team’s defense that has been their best trait— earning them the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference last season.
A potential option for the Celtics and Pacers could feature Gordon Hayward— a hometown hero in Indiana. It makes legitimate basketball sense when considering the Pacers will need a wing to complete a small ball unit with TJ Warren at the four.
With the NBA’s unprecedented financial crunch due to Covid-19, the Indiana Pacers could be prompted to trade one of its larger contracts to cut costs. With Domantas Sabonis landing an All-Star nod last season, the option of trading Myles Turner appears viable.
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