Myles Turner has spent his entire 10-year NBA career with the Indiana Pacers. However, that could change this offseason, as he enters free agency in July. Turner and the Pacers share mutual interest in finding a deal, but Indiana is not the only suitor. According to RG Media’s Grant Afseth, the Atlanta Hawks are showing interest in signing the center to a deal this summer. Turner’s ability to consistently protect the rim and knock down triples makes him a great fit for many different franchises.
Report: Hawks Could “Show Interest” In Top Free Agent Center
Turner Fits the Hawks’ System on Both Ends
Turner is not just a center who can occasionally hit a couple of threes. He shot 39.6% from deep on 5.5 attempts per game across the 2024-25 regular season. His pick-and-pop game with Tyrese Haliburton is an important factor in Indiana’s high-powered offense. If Turner signed with the Hawks, he would make an excellent pick-and-roll/pop duo alongside Trae Young. Atlanta’s star point guard led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game this season. The 6’11” big man also handles the ball well for his size and operates sufficiently in dribble-handoff situations. This adds another deadly factor to Atlanta’s motion and fast-paced offense, which finished third in pace.
Turner blocked two shots per game this season and has averaged at least two rejections in six out of the last seven campaigns. His strong weakside presence can allow the Hawks’ defenders to play tighter on-ball defense and more aggressively in the passing lanes. Atlanta finished second in the NBA with 9.7 steals per game in 2024-25. However, he struggles in other areas on this side of the floor. Turner only grabbed 6.5 rebounds in 30.2 minutes per game this season. At times, he does not play physical down low, allowing opposing centers to push him off his spot. While Turner’s recovery time and paint patrol are top tier, his on-ball defense certainly comes with questions.
Turner Does Not Make Sense Financially in Atlanta
Surprisingly, this report surfaced after Onyeka Okongwu took huge steps as the Hawks’ starting center this season. At 24 years old, he has three more years left on his four-year, $61.9 million contract. He averaged 15 points and 10.1 boards as a starter. These numbers are already close to or better than Turner’s. Okongwu just took over the starting five role from Clint Capela in January. Would the Hawks ask him to return to the bench after a promising four months to end the campaign? It seems unlikely. Atlanta has yet to see a full, healthy season of an Okongwu-Jalen Johnson frontcourt.
Turner likely signs a much bigger contract than Okongwu, and the Hawks only have about $8 million in cap space this summer. Atlanta would almost have to work out a sign-and-trade to bring in Turner for next season. Unless he takes a large pay cut or signs for the mid-level exception, it is hard to see a logical path for Atlanta to acquire Turner strictly through free agency.
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