Evan Turner finds himself in a bind and potentially being done for the season. The 31-year-old found himself on the move anew after the Atlanta Hawks dealt him away in the Clint Capella trade. He ended up with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it appears he may not be staying there for long. The belief is that he will be bought out, meaning the veteran guard will append the ranks of available NBA free agents.
The current NB season has not exactly been an impressive one for Turner. He has played in only 19 games averaging 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. His last memorable moment was actually with the Portland Trail Blazers. This was during last season's Western Conference semis, where he played a role in helping them advance. Since then, all has been quiet on Turner's end.
Given the choice, the second overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft would not mind rejoining the Boston Celtics, Heavy.com reported. He played there from 2014-16 before his Blazers stint. He logged 28 minutes per contest in his last season with the Celtics, averaging 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. But the question is, do the Celtics need him for the rest of the way?
The Celtics seem to be doing fine right now and have little reason to tweak their roster. Team president Danny Ainge already said that he is happy with their lineup and has little reason to make some changes. The only exception is if there is a solid two-way player available in the free-agent market. Based on Turner's showing so far, he hardly fits that category.
In the event he does get bought out, Turner could look into the 10-day contract offerings of the Golden State Warriors. He would have to impress head coach Steve Kerr first, something that could turn out good if he fits into the Dubs system. The Warriors have become a stop for NBA veterans who have groped in their NBA career. Shaun Livingston is a good example, and he thrived with the Dubs, retiring with multiple NBA rings in his pocket.
Turner could do the same if he finds a way to impress. It is not mainly about scoring but about how he can contribute to winning. He could be a reliable backup to Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson by next season if he finds a way to crack the roster.
If that does not work out, Turner could opt to wait for the offseason. It will not be easy, but Turner needs to expand his pro basketball career options.
