NBA Trades: The Hornets need to trade for Myles Turner

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NBA Trades, Hornets, Myles Turner

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a dunk in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA Trades: The Hornets need to trade for Myles Turner. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

With the 2022 NBA trade deadline shortly on the horizon, the Charlotte Hornets should be interested in making an aggressive move to strengthen their roster. Although many potential assets could be available on the market, Myles Turner should be the top target on the team’s shortlist.

The Hornets are currently sitting at seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 25-20 record. Led by rising superstar LaMelo Ball and a breakout season from Miles Bridges, Charlotte’s offense has been as efficient as it has been explosive, accumulating 114.4 points per game. A mark that ranks second in the league behind only the Utah Jazz.

NBA Trades: As the 2022 NBA trade deadline approaches, the Charlotte Hornets should bolster the team’s dreadful defense by trading for Myles Turner

However, it’s been the exact opposite on the defensive end. Despite dominating teams offensively, the Hornets are allowing 114.6 points per game on the other side of the ball, which ranks a whopping 29th across the NBA.

If the Charlotte Hornets can acquire Myles Turner before the deadline, it would immediately bolster their defense as they compete for playoff seeding and attempt to make postseason runs this season and beyond.

The Hornets average 5.1 blocks per game, and Myles Turner averages more than half of that. He leads the league with 2.8 blocks per contest. In addition, the big man averages 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor.

Turner is an excellent rim protector and defensive anchor that has been rumored to be on the trade market for a while now, and Charlotte is among the teams that have reportedly been interested in the 25-year-old. With the Indiana Pacers expected to go in the direction of a slim rebuild this year, it’s likely that he’ll be offloaded ahead of the deadline.

<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Hornets Get</div> <div class="info">Myles Turner</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/21/nba-trades-hornets-myles-turner/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpacers.png">
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Pacers Get</div> <div class="info">P.J. Washington</div> <div class="info">Mason Plumlee</div> <div class="info">Nick Richards</div> <div class="info">2024 First Round Pick</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Indiana could be enticed by 23-year-old forward PJ Washington and would certainly value a 2024 first-round pick as they aim to retool the core. Charlotte can also offer a 2022 lottery-protected first-round pick via New Orleans along with plenty of somewhat valuable second-round picks.</p> <p>Washington, the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is averaging 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point territory this season. He’s still a young, versatile big with room to grow.</p> <p>To make the money work in this trade, the contracts of Mason Plumlee and Nick Richards would be included to serve as salary fillers. Indiana likely wouldn’t value them as long-term pieces, but both Plumlee and Richards are on non-guaranteed contracts heading into the 2022-23 season, so they can dump either one of them after this year without a huge cap hit.</p> <p>This potential deal would make sense for both the Hornets and Pacers based on each organization’s timeline, values, and interests. The framework will certainly be a realistic possibility heading into the coming weeks.</p> <p>As we inch closer to the trade deadline, the Charlotte Hornets need to address their issues defensively by pursuing a deal for an elite rim protector like Myles Turner.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Rumors - Heat “open to talks” involving Duncan Robinson" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/20/nba-trade-rumors-heat-duncan-robinson/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/21/nba-trades-hornets-myles-turner/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/20/nba-trade-rumors-heat-duncan-robinson/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Rumors - Heat “open to talks” involving Duncan Robinson </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">