If there’s one thing the Atlanta Hawks taught other NBA teams this postseason, it’s that getting complacent is a death sentence.
After making a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Hawks President Travis Schlenk was pleased with the growth his squad showed and was content with running it back. The theory was that keeping the continuity and chemistry of the team would encourage internal growth and eventually lead to an even stronger showing.
He was wrong. He even so much as admitted it earlier in the year:
The great teams, even those that reach the Finals or win it all, never stop trying to improve. The 2021 champion Milwaukee Bucks added Grayson Allen and Semi Ojeleye and ensured that they would return Bobby Portis following the Finals.
Another perfect example of a team that’s constantly tweaking and upgrading is the Golden State Warriors. While Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green remain the steadfast core of their dynasty, the surrounding pieces continue to shift and evolve around them.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Execs Reveal What Indiana Pacers Could Get In Myles Turner Trade
Their next move should be to add a legitimate defensive presence on the inside, one who can allow Green to be fully unleashed as a free safety and provide insurance for the oft-injured former Defensive Player of the Year. There happens to be a player just in that mold that might be available in a fire sale this summer: Myles Turner.
Turner is one of the last remaining pillars of the previous Indiana Pacers regime. Between him and Malcolm Brogdon, General Manager Kevin Pritchard has two high-end assets available to continue his rebuild around their new prized prospect, Tyrese Haliburton.
As a stretch big who could also become a regular DPOY candidate, Turner holds a lot of value in today’s NBA. Adding a player of his stature would allow teams to space the floor with up to five shooters without sacrificing any size or defense. He’s also an impactful enough defender to anchor the floor even if the players around him are subpar on that end of the court.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Execs Reveal What Indiana Pacers Could Get In Myles Turner Trade
There should be plenty of teams interested in his two-way services this offseason, but for a team amid a teardown like the Pacers, the Golden State Warriors may be able to offer the best possible package.
Over the last few years, with their “Big 3” battling through various injuries, the Warriors used that reprieve to coalesce young talent and assets. James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody are all recent first-round draft selections who aren’t integral to their current title run, meaning that they’re expendable assets in any trade that Golden State may deem worth it.
Those three youngsters also happen to fit almost perfectly into Myles Turner’s $18 million cap figure for next season. If needed, the Warriors could also tack on their late first-rounder in the upcoming draft.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Execs Reveal What Indiana Pacers Could Get In Myles Turner Trade
Regardless of if the Warriors win it all this postseason or fall short, adding Myles Turner would be a surefire way to buoy themselves atop the Western Conference for next season. With a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Turner, the Dubs might be back to finishing within the top three teams on both ends of the court.
Opposing teams should be gearing up to outbid the Warriors in a potential Myles Turner trade just to prevent another juggernaut from being constructed in the Bay Area.
It’s simply frightening to think about what the Golden State Warriors could do with their collection of young talent and adding Turner might be the best possible option.
