Toronto Raptors need someone like Pacers’ Myles Turner

The Toronto Raptors may not be a championship contender this season, but adding players that can help the team build should still be a top priority.

The 2021-22 NBA season is one of transition for the Toronto Raptors, who have a young core of players that are showing a lot of promise of what the team could be in the very near future – but there is one area that is standing out significantly this season.

While the Raptors have been seeing solid offensive performances throughout their roster, despite seeing a number of key players such as OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam sidelined with injuries at varying stages, it’s the defensive side of the court that has been struggling generally.

At present, the Raptors currently rank 19th in the league for blocks and are dead-last in defensive rebounds, highlighting an area that Nick Nurse’s team need to seriously address – although some stellar performances from the likes of Gary Trent Jr does see them sit third in steals.

The Raptors may not be looking at making drastic changes to their existing roster, but adding an impact player on the defensive side could give them a significant boost as they look to regain their footing in the Eastern Conference and attempt to push for a playoff spot.

A stout defence can help any team, especially in the long-term, and Scottie Barnes’ 11 defensive rebounds against the New York Knicks was one of the reasons Toronto were able to edge out as 90-87 victors last night.

One player that could be available, would fit what the Raptors desperately need, and even appears willing to move on from his current team, is Indiana Pacers centre Myles Turner.

Turner, the Pacers’ 11th overall selection in the 2015 Draft, appears likely to be one of the key players the team looks at cashing in on as they look to go through a roster rebuild of their own – with the 25-year-old reportedly unhappy with the role he has on the team at present.

The Toronto Raptors’ 1-2 punch at the centre position is currently second-year player Precious Achiuwa, who has shown improvements in a number of statistical areas from his rookie season with the Miami Heat, as well as Khem Birch who has not performed at the level demonstrated in his early stint with the team and has had his playing minutes heavily reduced.

Both players, however, find themselves sidelined with injuries – leaving the Raptors to rely on Chris Boucher, who is more of a depth player and better suited as a power forward than at the 5 position.

Turner, meanwhile, plays exclusively as a big and would bring with him consistent points production (12.7 career average per game, 13.1 this season) as well as some extremely valuable defensive attributes – which has seen him named the NBA’s block champion twice and he is currently performing at a level that could see him earn the title for a third time with 2.7 blocks averaged this season.

He is averaging 5.9 defensive rebounds per game, which would be joint top for the Toronto Raptors alongside Achiuwa – who has shown flashes of his potential but has not been as consistent as the team would like this season.

What also makes Turner an interesting player to potentially trade for, is the fact that he is signed through this season and next, meaning he would have time to fit into the Raptors’ system and demonstrate what he is truly capable of with a team full of offensively talented players.

His $18 million cap hit would be workable for the Raptors, especially if they are able to offload Goran Dragic’s $19.44 million hit – whether that is part of this hypothetical scenario or another deal elsewhere around the league.

There is reported interest in Turner from the Raptors, and if the Pacers are keen to rebuild and give the Texas native the chance to cement a regular starting role elsewhere, then there could be a deal to be made between the two teams – one that benefits both with their immediate needs and gives the Toronto Raptors the defensive big they need to solidify their promising roster.