The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of four teams involved in that trade that saw them dealing away Robert Covington. When the dust cleared, they were left with multiple players that included Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner and Jarred Vanderbilt. They also landed a 2020 first-round pick in the transaction.
Seeing how the T-Wolves needed a point guard, none game their way. Worse, they sent off Shabazz Napier who is now with the Denver Nuggets, The Athletic reported. Unable to get the actual player for the position they want, there is no telling who will stay or who will go. But there is growing speculation that there may be a buyout happening.
One player who could find himself getting bought out is Evan Turner. The 31-year-old swingman is owed $18 million this year and will become a free agent this summer. Unless the T-Wolves swing him to another team and get a much-needed point guard, the buyout looms.
At least two teams are reportedly interested in the 6-foot-6 player's services should he get bought out. They are the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported.
The only problem is that if the Celtics or the Heat go this route, they need to make a roster spot available. A trade looms as the logical way to go but may apply only to the Heat. Miami has several players it could let go. That list includes Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Goran Dragic of Kelly Olynyk. They are players who have drawn criticism for performing below expectations despite holding lucrative offers.
For the Celtics, a trade may depend if team president Danny Ainge feels that Turner would be an upgrade over someone from the crop. Boston is expected to retain its best five players and the decision on bench players is variable. The Celtics will only agree to a trade if it will improve their chances in the NBA Playoffs.
Turner has played in only 19 games this season, averaging 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. The second overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft holds career averages of 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. From the numbers alone, it does not look like any team would assume his contract with that kind of production.
Getting more minutes could help but is no assurance for either the Heat or the Celtics. But the plausible root is to sign him to a much lesser deal rather than trading away someone else on both teams' current roster.
