Indiana Pacers

Atlanta Hawks Receive: C Myles Turner

Indiana Pacers Receive: C Clint Capela, 2023 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected)

One obvious area that the Atlanta Hawks could upgrade is at starting center. While Clint Capela’s initial acquisition played a big part in Atlanta’s 2021 run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he’s taken some significant steps backwards since then — especially on the defensive end of the court.

Trading for Myles Turner gives Atlanta a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, someone who can erase the mistakes that Trae Young and the Hawks’ other perimeter players might commit.

He provides the Hawks with a more reliable option to battle against Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two giants who they’ll likely have to get through if they mean to make the Finals.

The Indiana Pacers should be actively shopping Turner to further accelerate their rebuild. It seems like the market on the stretch-five has cooled significantly, so the Pacers should be grateful to grab a first-round pick, even if it’s lottery protected.

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Tacking on Clint Capela’s contract is a downer, but he may be able to play his way into becoming a positive trade asset for the Indiana Pacers.