NBA Free Agency: Portland Trail Blazers Sign Evan Turner To A $70 Million Deal

Coming into the offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers were looking to make some key additions to their roster. According to NBC Sports, Evan Turner has come to an agreement with the Trail Blazers on Friday. He signed a four-year contract worth $70 million.

A couple years ago, Evan Turner’s value in the NBA dropped tremendously because of his time with the Indiana Pacers. He plays his best when he has the ball in his hands. During his time with the Pacers, Paul George and Lance Stephenson were the primary ball handlers. Turner saw a drop in his minutes.

The Boston Celtics gave Evan Turner a chance to redeem himself. He played a key role for head coach Brad Stevens. Turner was the primary ball handler on the second unit. When the Celtics traded away Rajon Rondo, at times Turner was thrust into the starting role. He averaged a solid 7.2 assists per 36 minutes.

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Evan Turner settled into a sixth man role last season. He is a very versatile player who is a solid ball handler, has play-making ability, and is a good defender. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star can play multiple positions. Turner became a triple double threat for the Boston Celtics.

According to NBA, Evan Turner finished fifth in the Sixth Man of the Year award polling. He averaged 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds. Turner saw a drop in his assists because Isaiah Thomas became the team’s primary ball handler.

When the season officially ended for the Boston Celtics, everyone knew Evan Turner was in line for a significant pay raise. In his first year with the Portland Trail Blazers, he will be making around $17 million.

According to CBS Sports, Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey told Evan Turner that he would come in as the starting small forward. The Trail Blazers are hoping that he can help the team get deeper in the NBA Playoffs. Turner gives the team another ball handler on the floor to go alongside Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Evan Turner’s biggest weakness was his three-point shooting. Last season, before the All-Star break, he shot just 14.5 percent from beyond the arc. That was the worst percentage in the NBA among players who attempted at least 50 three pointers. After the All-Star break, Turner shot 52.4 percent from the three-point line over his final 26 games.

The Portland Trail Blazers will not be relying on Evan Turner to shoot from beyond the arc. They already have Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Lillard shot 37.5 percent from the three-point line and McCollum made 41.7 percent beyond the arc.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum might be able to benefit with the addition of Evan Turner. His play-making ability could be the difference maker for the Portland Trail Blazers. They would be able to run an offense like the Golden State Warriors. Lillard and McCollum would be able to run off screens and catch and shoot.

The starting lineup for the Portland Trail Blazers could consist of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the back court. Evan Turner, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Mason Plumlee would form the front court. The Trail Blazers might be inclined to play a smaller lineup to match up with teams like the Golden State Warriors.

As of right now, no one will know if Portland Trail Blazers signing Evan Turner will help or hurt them. Turner is a good player. The Trail Blazers signed him because of his play-making ability, defense, and all-around play.

[Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images]