Younger NBA fans won’t believe us, but big men didn’t shoot at one time. They didn’t do it. He was a novelty if you had a big man who shot threes. It was unlikely that he’d start. Big men were supposed to score in the paint and nowhere else.
Those days are long gone. Sure, there are still some non-shooting big men in starting lineups. In all likelihood, they aren’t post-scorers. Take Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
If he’s scoring, it’s probably because he’s finishing a pick-and-roll. That’s one of the predominant big-man archetypes in the modern NBA.
Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers is another. He’s the prototypical floor spacing big who can also defend the rim. All told, these two big men are two of the best examples of the types of centers we see in 2023.
Could they switch teams this season?
NBA Trade Proposal — New York Knicks Land Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: C Mitchell Robinson, 2024 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: C Myles Turner
Could the big man position be changing again? Let’s look at this year’s NBA champions. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is widely held to be the best player in the NBA. Jokic is nothing like Turner, and he’s nothing like Robinson either.
Instead, Jokic is a playmaking big. Sure, he’s developed into an average defender, but that isn’t his strong suit. Jokic is one of the best passers we’ve ever seen – at any position. Meanwhile, the NBA is a copycat league. Will teams try to follow the Nuggets’ model?
They might. The Sacramento Kings built one of the league’s best offenses by leaning on Domantas Sabonis last season.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks Updates
Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets is a potential star as well. At the same time, there will always be a place for rim-protecting big men in this league.
Should the Pacers finally part with their rim protector?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Well, the Pacers are getting a rim protector back here as well. Robinson is among the best defensive big men in the NBA. Granted, his inability to shoot makes him a less generally impactful player than Turner.
At the same time, Robinson does provide a type of floor spacing. He’s an elite vertical floor spacer. Robinson is among the league’s most consistent lob threats as well.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are built around one of the best shooting playmakers in the league. The pick-and-roll actions between Robinson and Tyrese Haliburton ought to be devastating.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks Updates
With that said, the Pacers are still parting with the best player in this deal. That’s why they’re getting a lottery protected first. The Knicks should be a playoff team next season – this pick ought to convey.
Should the Knicks part with it?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
The Knicks do this deal to open up the floor. This isn’t complicated. Turner can shoot, and Robinson can’t. The Knicks would have one of the most well-spaced floors in the NBA following this deal.
Meanwhile, they don’t give much up, either. Turner may not be quite the vertical threat that Robinson is, but he’s still effective in pick-and-roll sets.
As far as defense goes, this is roughly a wash. Both Turner and Robinson are outstanding rim protectors who can somewhat survive in space. In the end, it’s an upgrade that’s worth a lottery-protected first to New York.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks Updates
This team would like to be in the title hunt next season, and adding Turner’s floor spacing helps them get there. After all, he’s a prototypical modern big man.
