NBA: 5 Free Agents That Will Have The Biggest Impact Of Their New Teams

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Evan Turner, Portland Trail Blazers

As a devout Celtics fan, I have an affinity for Evan Turner. Some fans would call him a bust, and maybe he sounds like Meatwad, but really he’s a poor man’s swiss army knife. At 6-foot-7, he’s a permissible rebounder and scorer, who excels as a perimeter defender thanks to his surprising wingspan. Sadly, Turner’s talents didn’t come at a poor man’s price. More like $70 million. That’s right, 7-0. Not 7, not 17 – 70.

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You may be asking how a role player is the fifth most impactful free agent. Fair question. Four years, $70 million doesn’t seem like a very lucrative deal for Portland, but his skillset is paramount for Portland’s growth.

The Blazers are a great offensive team, opting to a three-point-obsessed offense since the departure of Lamarcus Aldridge. And thanks to Terry Stotts, the transition was seamless. There is one caveat though – Portland is a bad defensive team. Specifically the 20th worst defensive team in the NBA. So adding a great perimeter defender with Freddy Krueger arms will certainly aid their defensive woes. 

The second reason why I love Turner to Portland is his play making. For a 6-foot-7 shooting guard, the man can dish the rock. So imagine relieving Damian Lillard of his traditional point guard duties, and allowing Tuner to grab the rebound and run the break. With weapons like Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, Al-Farouq Aminu, C.J. McCollum and Dame Dolla’ at his disposal, that’s just frightening.

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