Pro: Defensive Value
He may not have a reputation as such, but Evan Turner is one of the more valuable defensive players in the NBA. He does an excellent job of closing out on 3-point shooters, and positively influences his team’s overall defensive play.
The New York Knicks need high-quality perimeter defenders, and Turner certainly checks the box in that regard.
In 2015-16, the Boston Celtics had a defensive rating of 100.0 with Turner on the floor and 102.2 without him. That’s not a massive disparity, but it’s a telling enough sign of how valuable Turner is on the defensive end of the floor.
Turner may not be an elite athlete, but he does an outstanding job of making his presence felt defensively.
Individually, Turner held opponents to 42.4 percent shooting from the field and 30.4 percent shooting from 3-point range. The latter mark is downright elite, and the first is a sign of his status as a plus defender.
Defensively, Turner would help the Knicks legitimize the perimeter in ways that the previous players failed to.
Next: Con