What To Do With Evan Turner

For a large portion of last season Evan Turner was the starting shooting guard for the Boston Celtics. His size and athleticism gave them a much needed boost and his ability to have an impact on the defensive end with potential to run the offense made him a favourite of Brad Stevens, even if many of the fans didn’t share that affection.

Turner’s 27.7% from beyond the arc, 2.4 turnovers per game and a tendency to put too much on his shoulders, diverting the team away from their great team ball made him impossible to watch at times and crowned him as the single most frustrating player on the Celtics.

The frustration hits an all time high when his tendency to drive the team into a slump was paired with solid defense, great play making ability and a trusted clutch gene. Turner surprised a lot of people by being tied for the third in the league in triple doubles but it was moments like these that kept Stevens coming back to Turner.

Turner knocked down multiple game winners and there is no doubting that last season was the first time he showed the potential to be a key piece of a team.

There would probably be very few questions about Turner’s status with the team considering how dedicated Stevens was to continually running the offense through him but after an unexpected draft his role has to come into question.

The greatest advantage Turner had was his size. The Celtics struggled to rebound and struggled to defend the paint and having a 6’7 shooting guard is a nice change of pace from the 5’9 Isaiah Thomas, 6’2 Avery Bradley and 6’4 Marcus Smart who made up an undersized backcourt.

Turner will certainly be given an opportunity to remain a starter with the Celtics but he will no longer be able to lean on his biggest advantage, his size.

Last season, Turner was the only contributing shooting guard that stood at least 6’6 tall. Now, Turner will have to deal with the 6’6 James Young and the 6’6 R.J Hunter fighting to take away his minutes. Young has also added significant weight to his frame and all of a sudden it looks like Turner may have to worry about his place on the team.

If Stevens wants the size he now has another option in Young who should have no problem shooting better than 27.7% from beyond the arc and should have no problem limiting his turnovers. If Stevens wants more of a pure shooter he can now go to Hunter even if he does not have nearly as physical of a presence.

Last season, Turner had an edge over other shooting guards, an edge that may no longer be enough to separate him from new and developing additions.

Turner will likely have an advantage over Young and Hunter going into the season but it may not be long before that gap is closed and then Turner will be left without a role on the team. Stevens would continue to go back to Turner despite his offensive struggles because of his size and defense.

Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Now that there are other options for size Turner will have to change his offensive mindset or he will be sitting on the bench. Young and Hunter may already be in a position where they will be less of an offensive liability than Turner and with little to no chance to get his separation shooting the ball, Turner will have to be a full time distributor.

Turner led the team with 5.5 assister per game and with Smart not quite at the point where the offense can run through him he can secure his role with the team if he is pass first all the time.

If Turner is able to cut out the isolation hero ball then he should be able to fend off Young and Hunter for at least one more season. The other two will need time to adjust and get comfortable in an offense that Turner has plenty of experience running.

The biggest difference for Turner will be the pressure. He could afford to make the mistakes last season because of the limited options. With all the options that now stand behind Turner he needs to be a much more efficient and trusted player with the ball in his hands and if he can find a way to properly hone his ability to distribute the ball his role with the Celtics will remain safe.

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