Washington Wizards Receive: C Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Deni Avdija, C Thomas Bryant, WAS 2021 1st Round Pick (Swap, Most Favorable, Top-5 Protected)
This would be a huge statement trade if the Washington Wizards were able to execute it, but the question is whether or not it is enough for the Pacers to let go of one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA. Thomas Bryant will be coming off an ACL injury and Washington has high hopes for Deni Avdija on the wing, so they may not be so willing to give him up.
They could offer up Davis Bertans instead, but again, who knows if Indiana would be willing to take on Bertans and his salary over Avdija and his potential as a young wing. While the Pacers have made ther intentions to keep Turner, his name always seems to pop up in NBA trade rumors.
Not only is Myles Turner one of the top defensive big men in the league, leading the league in blocks during the 2018-19 season, but he has all the makings of being a great offensive player as well. Turner can knock down shots from the perimeter in volume, as he has shot 35.7% from deep over the course of his five years of NBA experience, and is a threat to score in the low-post.
With Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal calling the shots and drawing all of the attention, Myles Turner would be able to do what he does best and pop out for three-point attempts in pick-and-roll situations. Given how good of passers both Beal and Westbrook are, there are no limits to what Turner could achieve in Washington on the offensive end of the court.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Grading the Magic-Nuggets trade involving Aaron Gordon
With him being owed just $52.5M over the next three years, the 24-year old center is a very affordable option for many teams that are playoff-contending teams and teams looking to sneak into the playoffs.
Turner once again leads the league in blocks this season and is one of the favorites to potentially win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, so if the Wizards truly do want him, they will have to be willing to give the Pacers what they want for him.
Now, let’s take a look at both the Wizards and Pacers as a whole and truly see if this trade is not only feasible for both of them, but if it makes sense for the direction both franchises are trending towards.
