Boston Celtics: 3 players to monitor during first half of schedule

Player the Boston Celtics should monitor No. 2) Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

Date(s) he plays the Cs: December 27th, December 29th, & February 26th

Perhaps the biggest blunder from this offseason for the Boston Celtics has been the failed sign-and-trade that would have sent Gordon Hayward to the Indiana Pacers and Myles Turner to Beantown.

While there are many varying reports about what had transpired, in the end, Turner wound up staying put while Hayward landed with the Charlotte Hornets via sign-and-trade.

Through this exchange, the Celtics nabbed themselves the biggest trade exception in league history ($28.5 million).

This would be how the cash-strapped shamrocks could afford to land the likes of Turner if they opted to pursue him and his $18 million contract once more this year.

While he may not be the sexiest name at his position, the big man certainly is one that fits Boston’s scheme quite nicely — perhaps even better than Theis.

On the season, the 23-year-old center posted solid averages of 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and a whopping 2.1 blocks per game on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 34 percent shooting from deep.

As our very own Josh Wilson explained a few weeks back, Turner’s defensive chops alone would have been highly beneficial for the Boston Celtics during this upcoming season:

"Within six feet of the rim, of players who faced at least five attempts per game within that range on the defensive end, Turner forced the ninth-best decline in field goal percentage for opponents (-10.9 percent). Beyond that very direct stat, Turner is one of the most feared rim protectors in the league, which means he very well may dissuade opponents from even attempting shots."

It was apparent that the Pacers were willing to trade Turner already. Should he once again become available during this upcoming season, the Cs should try and package together a deal involving draft capital and some salary fillers