Boston Celtics Should Re-Sign Evan Turner

To say Evan Turner has had an inconsistent tenure with the Boston Celtics could not do justice to just how all over the place his time in Boston has been. The bottom line, however, is that Turner made the necessary adjustments to be a positive contributor this season, and the Celtics should be in line to get a discount from the former number two pick.

Even though Turner just had a career year, the Celtics still have all the leverage. It’s not too crazy to think that turner could be out of the league entirely if not for Brad Stevens. In the 2014-2015 season Turner’s inconsistencies reached maddening levels. He always had a presence on the defensive end but poor shooting across the board and continual lapses in judgement made him a liability time and time again.

It felt as if everyone wanted Turner far away from the Celtics and with their cluttered roster many thought that his roster spot could be in jeopardy. The one and only man that remained unwavering in his support of Turner was Stevens, and that is something that he cannot receive anywhere else.

Stevens saw the potential and never let all the horrible shooting and turnovers distract him from what he knew was a talented player. This season, Turner lost his spot in the starting rotation but maintained a similar ball dominant role with the second unit. This time, however, things were different. When it became clear that the three point shot was not falling, Turner stopped taking that shot. He found his sweet spots in the mid range game and saw his shooting percentage sky rocket, while continuing to be the second most important distributor on the team.

Turner did a great job averaging 10.5 points per game 4.9 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game on a career high 45.6 shooting percentage, but that does not give him the leverage you would expect because Stevens deserves much of the credit, and nobody will value Turner the way the Celtics do.

Without Stevens, Turner is not the player he became this season. Without Stevens, Turner does not hone the skills that made him the best possible fit in the celtics offense. Turner has carved out an established role as an important contributor but that will not be the case outside of Boston.

Turner has made it abundantly clear that he needs the structure and direction that Stevens provides. Very few saw the potential that Stevens managed to bring out in Turner this season and all that progress could be lost if Turner is not found in the right position.

All of this amounts to the Celtics having all the leverage to sign Turner to a contract where there is no risk. If nothing else, Turner gives the Celtics phenomenal depth in many different ways. He gives them a great defensive option off the bench, who has now proven that he can lead the offense with the ball in his hands. A different maker is also the position versatility that Turner brings. He gives them small forward depth that is non existent without him. Without Turner, the Celtics would not have been able to go to their three guard lineup as consistently.

Turner’s size is incredibly valuable to their back court and he plays a big role rebounding the ball. On a team with very little size, the Celtics simply could not stay on the boards with the major it of their opponents. Turner, however, with his 4.9 rebounds per game, gave the Celtics a boost they would otherwise lack in their back court.

The Celtics can no longer anticipate any kind of true game changing potential from Turner but there is no doubting that they can continue to use him the way they did last season, even if his role gradually reduces as their younger guards develop.

Brad Stevens has already expressed how he wants Turner back with the team and that combined with the leverage they have makes this an ideal situation to get Turner on a bargain. The Celtics have plenty of cap room but that my change depending on how free agency goes. The Celtics can wrap up a role player who can contribute off the bench on a contending team and, if he reverts back to his madly inconsistent ways, then there will be nothing to regret with his contract.

Seeing how Turner’s contract talks with the Celtics plays out will be fascinating. His value to the Celtics is much different than his value to any other team and the Celtics will be aware of that. They know that they can low ball him based on his market value outside of Boston.

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Stevens and Turner have become a great combo for the Celtics and both the Celtics and Turner will be better of if Turner is signed to a team friendly contract, securing him at a great value as the Celtics try to become a contending team.