2 bold trades that make the Toronto Raptors contenders in 2022

Turner has been a solid performer in the five spot for the Pacers since they drafted him 11th overall at the 2015 NBA Draft. In a career that has spanned 389 regular season NBA games, Turner has blocked an average of 2.2 shots per game and secured 6.6 rebounds.

He would do more than replace Boucher’s athleticism as he is a true starting center in the NBA, averaged 31 minutes per game this season.

What Myles Turner could bring to the Raptors roster

With head coach Nick Nurse’s penchant for employing an aggressive helping perimeter defense, Turner is a rim protector/intimidator who can be a strong last line of defense. This is a skill that Baynes failed to provide Toronto in 2021.

At 6-11 and 250 pounds, he could provide the Raptors with the length and girth they lost when they chose not to resign Marc Gasol, but Turner is also much more athletic.

Offensively, Turner did average 12.7 points per game and is credible enough a three-pointer shooter to help space the floor as he was 33.5% on shooting the long ball this season. Turner is only 25 years old and, like Beal, would be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Turner is making a very reasonable $17.5 million a year.

Like Toronto in 2021, Indiana had a miserable season winning 34 games, and former Toronto assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren lasted just one season as the Pacers’ head coach. There was interest from other teams in acquiring Turner before the 2021 trade deadline.

This transaction would mean the Raptors picking up the team option on Aron Baynes’ contract to send him to Indiana along with Rodney Hood, who could be used for salary-matching purposes considering that the real prize here is the draft pick. This trade must get finalized after July 27 in order for Baynes and Hood’s money to become guaranteed.

Losing No. 4 straight up would be a poor trade, but getting Indiana’s pick at No. 13 makes this deal equitable.

What these two transactions mean

These two moves would give the Raptors a potential starting lineup of Beal-Trent-Anunoby-Siakam-Turner, provided Toronto can sign RFA Gary Trent Jr. to a contract. Even one of these two moves without the other would be a step in the right direction.

Both moves would instantly improve Toronto’s offensive fortunes and make the team’s defense tougher to play against. It also matters how the rest of the roster is filled out, but these hypothetical moves would still make Toronto better.

However, in Beal, they would be acquiring an MVP-like talent to pair with Siakam, who will see less attention and double teams. This combination could spark another multi-year run of playoff success, returning the Raptors, in less than a year, to contention for the Larry O’Brien trophy.