Report: Boston is interested in signing Evan Turner


You wanted fireworks? Well here you go.



All kidding aside, Evan Turner could be a nice piece to pick up. The only way a deal for him makes sense, however, is if Jeff Green is dealt this summer, so Turner can take over the starting small forward spot. It'll also be interesting to see what Turner would command for a contract. He made almost $6.7 million last season and is probably looking for a raise, although his salary was that high because he was picked second overall in 2010.

The market has been funky with guys like Gordon Hayward getting a max contract and a guy who put up 20 ppg with 6 apg in Isaiah Thomas getting a deal that only pays him $7 million per season.

If Turner comes in close to or even lower than Thomas money, that's decent value for a 25-year-old guy who can contribute right away. In 54 games with Philadelphia last season, Tuner averaged 17.4 ppg, 6 rpg and 3.7 apg in almost 35 minutes per contest. His numbers after getting traded to Indiana? Not great, but not that far off from his Sixers numbers if you look at his per-36 minute averages as a Pacer: 12.1 ppg, 4 apg, 5.4 rpg. His scoring took a noticeable dip, which is unfortunate because bench scoring is exactly what the Pacers wanted when they traded for him.

At the end of the day, Turner would be another place holder. He's not going to be the small forward you build around. A younger, cheaper, better passing version of Green. He'll get some run for a couple years until someone better comes along.

Stats via Basketball-Reference.com

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