Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal

We should start with a caveat: Jusuf Nurkic, having been re-signed with Bird rights this summer, isn’t eligible to be traded until January 15.

That alone makes this one unlikely. The Indiana Pacers feel likely to have found Turner a new home by then. At the same time, it’s possible that the Pacers don’t find a deal they like this summer. If so, the Turner situation could drag into the season.

If it does, the Pacers should give Portland a call. An intriguing young player and a first-round pick feel like market value for Turner. For a rebuilding Pacers club, adding the athletic Johnson and a pick makes perfect sense.

Moreover, they may be able to find some value for Nurkic down the line. He has his shortcomings, but a center-needy team could still splurge for him on a long-term, affordable deal.

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Even if they don’t, Johnson and the pick justify this trade alone. Is Turner worth that relatively large cost to the Blazers?