This may not be a popular option for a lot of people. Many will say why mess with the center position here, as clearly it's working. But looking forward to the off-season, i think the challenge is figuring out how to get better without messing with what has worked really well. Turner is a top 50-75 player in the league who does most of the things Noel and Mitch do, only more. He's basically an upgrade that doesn't re-invent the wheel for Thibs at the center position. Knicks may decide not to invest big into the PG position this summer if Ball and Schroder cost 25+ mil a year, and Turner is an easy way to acquire a big upgrade without breaking the bank (Turner is 25 and makes 18 mil per year) and definitely becoming a better team. With the way Rose is playing, Knicks may just move him to the starting line-up and use a combination of Quickley, Burks, Vildoza (assuming he's signed) and either a rookie PG (maybe Jared Butler) or a cheaper backup PG (Ish Smith or TJ McConnell) as a committee in the backcourt to keep Rose's minutes in check.

Knixkik wrote:I see his name coming up in connection to the Knicks this summer. He's an elite defender (one of the best in the league) and best shot-blocker in the league, only 25 years old. He's essentially Noel on defense but a better post defender, plus he's got a perimeter game. Indiana is headed for a semi-rebuild likely and the Sabonis/Turner duo has probably run it's course. Indiana will look to save money and get out from 1 or 2 of these bigger contracts. Robinson would offer them a cheap replacement for the year, plus Knox and a first round pick from this upcoming draft (worst of the picks between Dallas and NY) should get the job done.

This may not be a popular option for a lot of people. Many will say why mess with the center position here, as clearly it's working. But looking forward to the off-season, i think the challenge is figuring out how to get better without messing with what has worked really well. Turner is a top 50-75 player in the league who does most of the things Noel and Mitch do, only more. He's basically an upgrade that doesn't re-invent the wheel for Thibs at the center position. Knicks may decide not to invest big into the PG position this summer if Ball and Schroder cost 25+ mil a year, and Turner is an easy way to acquire a big upgrade without breaking the bank (Turner is 25 and makes 18 mil per year) and definitely becoming a better team. With the way Rose is playing, Knicks may just move him to the starting line-up and use a combination of Quickley, Burks, Vildoza (assuming he's signed) and either a rookie PG (maybe Jared Butler) or a cheaper backup PG (Ish Smith or TJ McConnell) as a committee in the backcourt to keep Rose's minutes in check.

Welpee wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I see his name coming up in connection to the Knicks this summer. He's an elite defender (one of the best in the league) and best shot-blocker in the league, only 25 years old. He's essentially Noel on defense but a better post defender, plus he's got a perimeter game. Indiana is headed for a semi-rebuild likely and the Sabonis/Turner duo has probably run it's course. Indiana will look to save money and get out from 1 or 2 of these bigger contracts. Robinson would offer them a cheap replacement for the year, plus Knox and a first round pick from this upcoming draft (worst of the picks between Dallas and NY) should get the job done.

This may not be a popular option for a lot of people. Many will say why mess with the center position here, as clearly it's working. But looking forward to the off-season, i think the challenge is figuring out how to get better without messing with what has worked really well. Turner is a top 50-75 player in the league who does most of the things Noel and Mitch do, only more. He's basically an upgrade that doesn't re-invent the wheel for Thibs at the center position. Knicks may decide not to invest big into the PG position this summer if Ball and Schroder cost 25+ mil a year, and Turner is an easy way to acquire a big upgrade without breaking the bank (Turner is 25 and makes 18 mil per year) and definitely becoming a better team. With the way Rose is playing, Knicks may just move him to the starting line-up and use a combination of Quickley, Burks, Vildoza (assuming he's signed) and either a rookie PG (maybe Jared Butler) or a cheaper backup PG (Ish Smith or TJ McConnell) as a committee in the backcourt to keep Rose's minutes in check.

How is his defense? Blocking shots doesn't automatically mean you're good defensively. I remember watching him we when played Indiana and wasn't impressed with him on defense other than two or three times he blocked a shot.

He's a great shotblocker but also a great defender. He's got to be one of the best defensive bigs in the league.

If you replace Noel in the lineup with Turner, we are probably a slightly better defensive team, and a much more dangerous offensive team, because we are adding a center that can shoot the 3 and score around the basket but doesn't need any offense run for him, so nothing really changes from what's already working.

Allanfan20 wrote:I’m with Knicks1248 on this. I would love Turner and with Thibs coaching him up, most of his defensive flaws should be fixed unless he is simply un-coachable or not humble. Is he an UFA?

No he's under a long-term contract. Indiana has shopped him a little because his fit with Sabonis is questionable. Sabonis is really more suited at center. I'm guessing Indiana does a partial rebuild over the offseason. My proposal of Robinson, Knox and the Dallas pick (or Knicks pick if lower) i think is fair for a team looking to save money and shake things up.

BRIGGS wrote:No reason to pay him 18 mm. Somewhat soft lackadaisical player. Sits on perimeter too much

I don't view him that way at all.

My other option was making sure we acquire Isaiah Jackson in the draft. He's a legit shot-blocking/rim running center that actually offers some offensive upside. He's a good free throw shooter and is more apt to develop some perimeter skill long-term than Mitch or Noel.

knicks1248 wrote:

Welpee wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I see his name coming up in connection to the Knicks this summer. He's an elite defender (one of the best in the league) and best shot-blocker in the league, only 25 years old. He's essentially Noel on defense but a better post defender, plus he's got a perimeter game. Indiana is headed for a semi-rebuild likely and the Sabonis/Turner duo has probably run it's course. Indiana will look to save money and get out from 1 or 2 of these bigger contracts. Robinson would offer them a cheap replacement for the year, plus Knox and a first round pick from this upcoming draft (worst of the picks between Dallas and NY) should get the job done.

This may not be a popular option for a lot of people. Many will say why mess with the center position here, as clearly it's working. But looking forward to the off-season, i think the challenge is figuring out how to get better without messing with what has worked really well. Turner is a top 50-75 player in the league who does most of the things Noel and Mitch do, only more. He's basically an upgrade that doesn't re-invent the wheel for Thibs at the center position. Knicks may decide not to invest big into the PG position this summer if Ball and Schroder cost 25+ mil a year, and Turner is an easy way to acquire a big upgrade without breaking the bank (Turner is 25 and makes 18 mil per year) and definitely becoming a better team. With the way Rose is playing, Knicks may just move him to the starting line-up and use a combination of Quickley, Burks, Vildoza (assuming he's signed) and either a rookie PG (maybe Jared Butler) or a cheaper backup PG (Ish Smith or TJ McConnell) as a committee in the backcourt to keep Rose's minutes in check.

How is his defense? Blocking shots doesn't automatically mean you're good defensively. I remember watching him we when played Indiana and wasn't impressed with him on defense other than two or three times he blocked a shot.

I would put him on my top 5 wish list.

Ask yourself who on this roster impressed you on defense prior to THIBS coaching them, maybe Noel, and thats because that's all he does.

Myles plays in and out, I would prefer him over any of the guys we have now without blinking.

BRIGGS wrote:No reason to pay him 18 mm. Somewhat soft lackadaisical player. Sits on perimeter too much

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he's paired with Sabonis. His usage rate is at a career low. That wouldn't change with Randle. Now, he's only an average to slightly below average three point shooter...you can argue that it might just be cheaper to keep Mitch and sign someone like Luke Kornet.

knicks1248 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:No reason to pay him 18 mm. Somewhat soft lackadaisical player. Sits on perimeter too much

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that he's paired with Sabonis. His usage rate is at a career low. That wouldn't change with Randle. Now, he's only an average to slightly below average three point shooter...you can argue that it might just be cheaper to keep Mitch and sign someone like Luke Kornet.

18 mill for 2 more seasons is not bad at all...The pacers had multiple teams interested in him, so he will have value for the remaining of that contract in the event it doesn't work out.

BTW, The FA class this yr..not good

I think an addition of Ball and Myles would take us to the next level

The deal isn't horrible, but how much does that leave for a PG or more wing depth? They're going to sign Randle to an extension soon. That's going close to $50 million in cap space. I'd hope they can stagger these moves to make the pieces fit.

EwingsGlass wrote:Aren't Sabonis and Randle very similar in play style. If Turner doesn't mesh with Sabonis, how does he mesh with Randle. Second, on offense, Thibs uses his C's to box out on offense. Turner seems to play perimeter.

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/box-outs/?sort=BOX_OUTS&dir=1 If you look at his offensive box outs, they are virtually non-existent. Doesn't mean he can't - he does on D, but you have to ask what he is worth once he changes his game to suit Thib's style.

I don't watch Indiana much but I would say no. Randle plays out to the 3point line. He has downhill dribble. Where they cross over is in post play. 70% of Sabonis's shots are within 10 feet of basket, Randle does about 35%.

Using the corollary that Turner and Sabonis do not mesh doesn't seem relevant? Randle seems OK with Mitch and Noel? And Turner would add more spacing options.