Trade No. 3 – Indiana Pacers

Boston Celtics Receive: C Myles Turner

Indiana Pacers Receive: G Marcus Smart, G Romeo Langford, C Robert Williams III, BOS 2021 1st Round Pick, BOS 2025 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected)

While they did sign Tristan Thompson this offseason, the Boston Celtics have long been linked to Myles Turner trade rumors, and being able to get him would solidify this team as one of the top teams not just in the Eastern Conference, but the entire NBA.

Since entering the league in 2015, Myles Turner has been one of the best defensive centers in the entire league, averaging 2.2 blocks over the course of his career. Being an avid shot-blocker and a threat to have a double-double every night would change the dynamic of the Boston Celtics on both the offensive end and defensive end of the court for the better.

So far this season, Myles Turner is leading the leagues in blocks per game with 4.1 blocks and has a total of 62 blocks through 15 games this year. Right now, he is on pace to eclipse 250 blocks for the season and is looking like the clear front-runner for the Defensive Player of the Year award right now. 

Boston has been on the verge of making the NBA Finals for the last four seasons as they have lost in the Eastern Conference Finals three times in the last four years. Bringing in a big man like Myles Turner to pair with Kemba, Brown and Tatum not only makes the Celtics a dangerous, athletic and young team, but it would be enough to finally get them to the NBA Finals.

The biggest question about acquiring Myles Turner for the Boston Celtics is who would they have to give up to acquire him and along with a slew of draft picks, they would most likely have to give up either Jaylen Brown or Marcus Smart. Boston would probably prefer to trade Smart in this scenario, but Marcus Smart has consistently been one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Giving up one of the best perimeter defenders in the league for one of the best interior defenders in the league is a risky move, but something that could pay off on both ends of the court for the Celtics. Myles Turner is more versatile in terms of where to put him on the court and can be a better offensive weapon than his numbers say he is as well.

With his abilities to be a factor on both ends of the court and be a threat to shoot as a center, Myles Turner could greatly affect this Boston Celtics team and not only help bring them to the NBA Finals but possibly help them win a championship.

Whether or not the Celtics look to make a push for Turner near this year’s trade deadline, expect to see Boston pursue Myles Turner throughout next offseason as well, especially if they do not win a championship this season.