As the Charlotte Hornets navigate an offseason following a breakthrough season, their biggest need remains the center position. As the Hornets scour the upcoming free agent pool and the trade market, a familiar name may be resurfacing as a potential solution.
Per Indianapolis Star beat writer J. Michael, the Hornets and Timberwolves are two of the most interested teams in Pacers big man Myles Turner this offseason, joining the likes of the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers and Pelicans as well. During the season, it was rumored multiple times that the Hornets had their eye on Turner as a trade target, most notably according to a report from ESPN’s Zach Lowe around the trade deadline.
Hornets and Twolves REALLY want Turner. Like, REALLY do https://t.co/4UngXvRJsU
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) June 9, 2021
On paper, Turney appears to be the missing piece for the Hornets in the front line. His unique ability to be an elite rim protector as well as a floor spacer offensively makes him an attractive player. Last season, he shot 33.5% from the 3-point line but is a career 35.2% shooter, a more than respectable number given his other skill sets.
Defensively, Turner ranked in the 100th percentile in block percentage – the percentage of opponent’s shots that were blocked – according to Cleaning the Glass.
The belief by many is that, with a new coach coming into the fold in Indiana, the days of pairing Turner with big man teammate Domantas Sabonis could come to an end. While the Pacers have had success with the big man pairing, it’s never felt seamless and rumors have always floated around about their futures, predominantly with regards to Turner.
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