LA Clippers should call about Myles Turner
With Domantas Sabonis agreeing to an extension, the LA Clippers should call the Indiana Pacers about trading Myles Turner.
Chalk this up to something pretty unrealistic, but something we should talk about. The LA Clippers should give the Indiana Pacers a call about Myles Turner. Does a deal between the two happen? Probably not. The Clippers only do this deal if they fear they’ll lose Trezz this summer and if they think their lack of rim protection will be a real issue. The Pacers only deal Turner if they don’t think him and Sabonis can coexist.
Just humor me for a minute.
The Clippers need a center, right? They also have to worry about paying Montrezl Harrell next summer, right? Why not solve both problems by attempting to get Myles Turner?
Turner, 23, would fit in with this team perfectly. Last season, he led the league in blocks, something the Clippers could definitely use. Just imagine having the league leader in blocks partnered up with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Patrick Beverley. Yeesh. At his young age, he can only improve on the defensive end. No, he might not be the biggest center, standing at 6’11, but it’s obvious he can protect the paint.
Turner can also stretch the floor on offense, something neither Harrell nor Ivica Zubac can do (yet). He would open up the paint a little more for both George and Leonard to attack. He is also a good roll man and could be used effectively in tandem with Lou Williams, much like Harrell is now.
What would a trade look like?
The Clippers would also give up their 2020 first-round draft pick.
Is this package enough? Eh. However, it’s probably the best the Clippers can offer. The Pacers get back Trezz who can figure into their offense and provide some scoring until Victor Oladipo returns from injury. Harkless adds to their defense and Jerome Robinson gives them a young prospect who is a capable shooter.
Trading away Trezz hurts, but with the money, he will command this summer, there is no guarantee that the Clips will be able to retain him. Losing Harkless’ depth also hurts, but as we have talked about many times, there will be players available in the buyout market. (*cough* Andre Iguodala *cough*)
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A deal to get Turner probably won’t happen at all and especially seems unlikely if this is the best the Clippers can offer. Still, it’s well worth their time to reach out and see what Indiana is thinking.