Free-agent guard Evan Turner is close to finalizing a deal with the Boston Celtics.
Turner was the second overall pick in the 2010 draft. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. Last year he was traded to the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers decided not to extend an $8.7 million qualifying offer for Turner, making him a free agent. Turner will get a portion of the Celtics mid-level exception, according to the Boston Herald, which first reported the news.
Last season Turner played for the 76ers before being traded to the Pacers. In 54 games for the 76ers he averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game. For the season Turner averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and 3.2 assists. In his four years in the NBA Turner has averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, according to ESPN.
The Celtics now have a lot of depth at the guard and forward positions. They drafted Marcus Smart and James Young in June. Guard Avery Bradley has been given a four-year, $32 million extension. After the deal with Turner is finalized, the Celtics will have 18 players on the roster that have a payroll commitment of almost $80 million. Three nonguaranteed deals could help lower the Celtic’s payroll commitments.