Indiana Pacers Receive: C Jusuf Nurkic, G Keon Johnson, 2025 First-Round Pick (POR)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: C Myles Turner
In light of the importance of defense, let’s talk about the evolution of the modern big man. After all, some say that’s the most important defensive position on the floor.
Of course, it’s the big man’s offensive role that’s mostly evolved. It used to be that centers were generally expected to roam the paint. If they didn’t have an array of low post moves, they finished pick-and-rolls, and that was basically it.
By 2022, that’s no longer the case. Big men are expected to shoot threes like anybody else. With that in mind, Myles Turner may be the quintessential big man. By contrast, Jusuf Nurkic is a throwback.
After all, Turner fulfills the expected duties of a modern big on both ends of the floor. His 34.9% three-point percentage keeps the floor spaced. On defense, he protects the rim and can survive switches when called upon to.
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On the other hand, Nurkic doesn’t check any of those boxes. He’s a bruising inside scorer, but his slow feet make it difficult for him to survive on defense outside of deep drop coverage. Meanwhile, he’s a non-shooter. Is adding him along with a first-round pick worth it for the Indiana Pacers at the expense of Turner?
