After his first season in Milwaukee, Myles Turner's reputation around the league is at an all-time low. The 30-year-old center was once lauded as an ideal fit for the modern game with his 3-point shooting and rim protection, but now other teams are focusing on his weaknesses more instead. That's a very unfortunate position for the Bucks, who are hoping to move on from Turner's contract and receive something of value in return.
The Bucks will have a hard time finding a good Turner trade
Even with Turner no longer fitting into the Bucks’ timeline, other teams haven’t yet shown significant interest in him because of his poor play last season. Turner is now on the wrong side of 30 and coming off his worst season in years, a recipe for tanking trade value. Milwaukee is hopeful that someone will bite on him next season, but the odds aren’t looking hopeful.
Turner’s strengths seemed to decline last season while his weaknesses were as loud as ever. He still shot well from three-point range, hitting 38% of his attempts. But his startling lack of aggression inside the paint, highlighted by only 3.7 2-point attempts per game, is giving teams real cause for concern.
The league has shifted back towards more physical play, especially in the playoffs. Turner’s inability to match up with that change has made him expendable in favor of bigger and stronger centers. And his rebounding woes only make the issue worse, especially coming off a season averaging 5.3 boards per game.
Turner needs to step up next season
The Bucks clearly need a revamped Turner next season, and he needs to make some changes for the good of his own career. Across the board, Turner had dramatic dropoffs in many categories. Even his shot-blocking numbers seemed pedestrian, as he dropped to 1.6 per game, his lowest since his rookie year.
If Turner wants to play for a contender again any time soon, or even earn another contract after his current one expires, he will need to show more in his play on the court. The Bucks won’t just give him up for nothing and another team won’t be willing to take on his deal for his current production anyways.
He should still get plenty of opportunities in Milwaukee next season, although the Bucks should prioritize Kel’el Ware more. The ideal scenario is for Turner to remind the league of his strengths and leave the Bucks in a mutually beneficial trade. But we’re still pretty far away from that fantasy today.
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