NBA Rumors: Evan Turner Leaving Boston Celtics For New York Knicks

NBA rumors have been swirling around Evan Turner. The 27-year-old small forward will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is one of the best backup point forwards in the entire NBA. Several teams will be interested in signing the former Ohio State Buckeyes star. According to New York Daily News, the New York Knicks will be one of the teams going after Turner. Phil Jackson is said to have been very interested in him earlier this season.

If you were to ask Evan Turner last week about his upcoming free agency, he might have told you he was focused on the NBA Playoffs. Turner was a steady force for Boston Celtics in the postseason. In the series against the Atlanta Hawks, he is averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. The series has come to an end. Turner might be looking for a new place in the NBA to call home now that the team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Evan Turner has certainly raised his value since joining the Boston Celtics. Last time he was a free agent, he signed a two-year deal worth seven million. The market for Turner this offseason is going to be high. Some people believe the former Ohio State Buckeyes star will make around $15 million per season, or maybe even close to $20 million.

Since joining the Boston Celtics, Evan Turner has been one of the best sixth men in the entire NBA. He has shown that he has the ability to be a triple double threat. In his first season with the Celtics, he averaged 9.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. Turner had a career high in assists last year. This season, he is averaging 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game.

The New York Knicks are in need of an upgrade at the guard positions. Evan Turner would fill in that void nicely. He is an athletic, 6’7? small forward who can play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. Evan is currently ranked number six among shooting guards in assists per game. He is a very solid player. His weakness is that he isn’t a very good three-point shooter. Turner is shooting 24 percent from beyond the arc this year. His strengths are that he’s a facilitator and a player who can penetrate the paint.

Last summer, the New York Knicks signed Arron Afflalo to a two-year deal worth $16 million. The second year has a player option. He might be on the way out. Interim head coach Kurt Rambis benched Afflalo in the middle of this season. Some people believe the Knicks are pushing him out. That way, the team will have more money to spend on free agency.

Phil Jackson believes Evan Turner would be a perfect fit for the Triangle Offense. Jackson likes having tall guards as starters. Michael Jordan and Ron Harper were both 6’6?. Both players were shooting guards. They won multiple NBA Championships without a traditional point guard. Jackson has never had a traditional point guard. Turner has the size and skills set to thrive in the Triangle Offense.

Evan Turner might not be every team’s first choice because he isn’t a superstar player. He is a guy who will do anything to help the team win. Turner will be high on the New York Knicks’ wish list of free agents to target this summer. It will be interesting to see if he decides to join the Knicks. His versatility and skills set are what makes him very valuable to a team. Turner can guard multiple positions on the floor. New York signing him would be a good addition for the team.