Fireworks: Celtics to Sign Evan Turner

Just a day after Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck was bemoaning the lack of fireworks in the Celtics' off season and the fact that the Celtics had wanted to make moves but that it takes two to make a deal, the Celtics make a move to sign free agent Evan Turner. Reportedly, Turner will sign for part of the Celtics' mid-level exception.

The 6'7" Turner was the 2nd pick in the 2010 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Turner was traded at last season's trade deadline to Indiana. After the trade, the Pacers seemed to flounder, but I think that had more to do with losing Danny Granger who had been a big part of the team for so many years than it did with the addition of Turner.



For his career, Turner averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 29 minutes per game. Before the trade last season he was having the best year of his career, averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 34.9 minutes per game. After the trade, his minutes dropped to 21 per game and his stats went down dramatically, as he averaged just 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. It was reported that he didn't get along with Lance Stephenson and even got into a fistfight with him during the playoffs.

Turner always seemed to have a big game against the Celtics and that may be what caught Danny's attention. In only his second start of the 2011-12 season, Turner recorded a career-high, 26 points, against the Celtics. He posted his first postseason double double in the 2012 playoffs against the Celtics in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. In game five of that series, he recorded another double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. In the 2012–13 NBA season he posted a 26-point 10-rebound double-double against the Celtics and made the game-winning shot in overtime with 3.9 seconds remaining. Regardless of what he does for the Celtics on the team, at least he won't be having big games against them.

According to Turner's agent, the Celtics were the number one team on their list. Turner will be looking to renew his career in Boston and the environment was tops on their priority list. From the Herald:

"There are teams that offered him one-year deals. There are teams that offered him multi-year deals," Turner's representative, David Falk, told the Herald. "But I think the deal here is secondary to the environment.

"Boston all along has been probably our No. 1 destination. I felt what Evan needed was to kind of replicate the relationship that he had with coach Brett Brown in Philadelphia, which I think worked out tremendously well for him. We were really looking mostly for an environment more than geography. Brad has known Evan since high school, and we think that the very personal that college coaches have with their players is more in line with what we experienced with Brett."

This is a curious signing because the wings are getting rather crowded. At small forward, the Celtics are now 5 deep. Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace, Chris Johnson, Keith Bogans, and now, Evan Turner. At the Shooting guard spot they would be 6 deep, if you include Marcus Smart, who may be playing there part of the time if Rondo remains with the team: Avery Bradley, Marcus Thornton, James Young, Chris Babb and possibly Turner and Smart.

With the roster now at 18 and the payroll approaching $80 million, it's obvious that other moves are coming. The most obvious move would be to release the three non-guaranteed contracts of Chris Johnson, Chris Babb, and Keith Bogans. Bogans contract would be nice to include to make a trade work, but if he's not traded, he won't be back. I like Chris Johnson a lot. He hustles and works hard on the court and could be a good role player, but he and Chris Babb may be forced out due to the numbers.

This also has to make Celtics fans wonder about Jeff Green. There have been rumors that Danny is actively shopping him. With the way that teams were over paying for wings this off season, his $9 million contract is right in the ball park. He's a very good player but his inconsistency has been frustrating fans and possibly the Celtics brass as well. Regardless, we know that there has to be a couple more moves. Whether it's a trade for Kevin Love or just freeing up space and money, something's got to give. Perhaps like the trade for Ray Allen back in 2007 things will be a lot clearer when the other shoe drops.

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