Get ready New York Knicks fans, the most chaotic and exciting portion of the NBA offseason is here! The league free agency period officially kicked off at 6pm, August 2nd.
Not only does this represent an infusion of rocket fuel into the carousel of stars changing teams through splash signings, but it also marks the beginning of what is expected to be an interesting period of trading. The New York knicks added Evan Fournier to their roster while retaining a bunch of key pieces from last season.
The Knicks 2021 season was a dream come true in many ways. In a single year, the franchise began to shed its reputation as a perennial loser and showed the upside of its young core. Few teams in the league needed a postseason berth more than New York. While an exit in the first round wasn’t the result fans had hoped for, it also revealed several clear roster needs.
one newly reported trade target represents a fascinating fit: Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner. A reporter from the Indy Star has confirmed that the Knicks have been “trying hard to get the Pacers to part with Turner.”
Could the New York Knicks be going after Myles Turner?
This is the perfect springboard to dive into a look at the factors surrounding a potential trade between the Pacers and Knicks. Does Myles Turner fit with the Knicks’ current DNA? How does he help the team? What is an appropriate offer? What is the max offer New York should consider? And why would Indiana even consider parting with a 25-year-old shot-blocker in the prime of his career?
Let’s take an in-depth look.
New York Knicks: Myles Turner’s fit
It seems that Turner would be an ideal fit for a defensive-oriented club like the Knicks by all accounts. New York was able to earn a postseason berth and establish themselves as an elite defense during their first season under veteran Tom Thibodeau. However, they did so without a primary anchor in the post.
Expected starter Mitchell Robinson was a major disappointment after appearing in just 29 contests due to injuries. This left journeymen Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson as the primary centers. Both performed admirably in extended minutes. But neither should be considered a legitimate starting option.
In many ways, Turner has already established himself as the player Knicks’ fans hope that Robinson can one day become. The former Texas Longhorns star has established himself as one of the premier shot blockers in the league (averaging 2.2 per game during his career). He is also coming off a season in which he led the league averaging a career-high 3.4 rejections per contest. He has the potential to be a Rudy-Gobert-like anchor in New York.
The Gobert comp isn’t hyperbole. Turner is an all-world shot blocker. Look at this example of his ability to react and recover:
This comes against a perennial All-Star Nikola Vucevic. And it isn’t an anomaly. Few players can recover to make defensive plays like this.
Turner also appears to have a higher offensive ceiling than his younger Knicks counterpart. Barring a major development, Robinson seems locked into a role as a rim runner and second chance weapon around the basket. While these are useful skills, it is unlikely he ever becomes a dangerous offensive threat. He will always maintain an elite shooting percentage, but he will never be able to create offense.
Turner, on the other hand, has shown more refined skills. Robinson averaged a career-high 9.7 points per game in 2019-2020. Turner’s worst career PPG output came when he recorded 10.3 during his rookie campaign in 2015-2016.
This superior level of production is no coincidence. While Turner is also a good rim-runner, he is also a threat as a floor spacer and shooter. In a modern NBA that places extreme value on spacing, Turner’s 35% career three-point percentage is a game-changer.
Not only could he establish himself as a force in the paint, but he can also draw defenders away from the basket to make room for drivers like Julius Randle and Derrick Rose.
He seems to be a match made in heaven.
New York Knicks: Myles Turner’s cost
This is where this potential trade hits its biggest speed bump. Most teams would love to have a rim protector like Turner. However, the Pacers have little reason to part with him without receiving a major haul in return.
It feels likely that New York would have to begin conversations by offering Robinson as a replacement. While the concept of Robinson’s best days in blue and orange being behind him is unfortunate, the Knicks would be wise to consider an established talent with far fewer injury concerns.
Former 9th overall pick Kevin Knox would also be a noteworthy trade chip. While he could be used in pursuit of other assets, most Knicks fans would feel comfortable parting with him for a difference-making talent.
The big question on the table is simple: What else would need to be included to get a deal done? I imagine most New York fans would part with an injury-riddled Robinson and underwhelming Knox without hesitation. It is equally likely that the Pacers front office rejects the deal.
The Knicks would be hard-pressed to make a legitimate package without adding more. These additional pieces would likely come in the form of draft picks rather than on-court talent. As things currently stand, the Knicks have multiple first-round picks in each of the next two drafts. They also hold a small treasure trove of second-rounders over the next few years.
Some sites have speculated that a combination of Robinson, Knox and a single first-round pick could get the deal done. Others have posited that both players would need to be paired with multiple first-rounders to add Turner. Would a trade like this get the deal done?
Furthermore, at what point does the price tag become too high to seriously consider?
New York Knicks: The Pacers’ dilemma
From an on-court perspective, Turner is the type of talent that could push the Knicks to the next level as a franchise. His defensive abilities and offensive flexibility could give New York the weapon it clearly lacked during their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. He is also an excellent fit alongside players like Randle, Rose, and the rest of the Knicks’ other players on paper.
However, this same flexibility also makes Turner a valuable weapon for Indiana. When the current incarnation of the Pacers was first being constructed, it seemed as though they were destined to trade one of their two centers. Both Turner and Domantas Sabonis appeared to have conflicting sizes, skillsets, and positions.
As Sabonis established himself as a multi-time All-Star and building block, it appears even more likely that Turner would be the odd man out. He has subsequently been involved in numerous trade rumors each of the past several seasons.
Yet, he is still a member of the Pacers. And he is still making important contributions. The all-around skillsets of both big men have allowed them to coexist in a way previously thought impossible.
There are few reasons to expect Indiana to actively pursue a deal. This is confirmed by the language in J. Michael’s original Indy Star report. A trade only makes sense if the return blows them away.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a union between Turner and the Knicks is all a matter of price. New York would undoubtedly benefit from a dual-threat big man. However, the former lottery pick is clearly outside the realm of transcendent superstars that could catapult a franchise into the tier of legitimate championship contenders.
I would sign off on a trade involving both Robinson and Knox. Both are good pieces with upside. But the Knicks have a window to establish themselves as multi-year postseason contenders. The age-old adage “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” feels fitting.
I would also give my seal of approval on including a single first-round pick to the deal. It even makes sense to add an additional second-rounder to the mix as a sweetener.
However, a hard line should be drawn at this point. I would not include multiple first-rounders to a package including two young pieces. That price is simply too high. If the Pacers are willing to consider an infusion of players and picks, the Knicks might get their wish. If not, New York can then pivot to pursuing a number of other free agents or trade targets.
What to do you is an appropriate price for Myles Turner?