The Toronto Raptors are monitoring the situation in Milwaukee and could pursue center Myles Turner should the Bucks begin unloading veterans, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, who cited two league sources.
Turner, 30, signed a four-year, $109 million deal with the Bucks last offseason, marking the largest payday among players who changed teams. His first year in Milwaukee fell short of expectations: he averaged 11.9 points on 44 percent shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. With the Indiana Pacers the previous season, he posted 15.6 points on 48.4 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.
The veteran big man still has three seasons and $83.8 million remaining on his contract. Toronto believes his combination of rim protection and three-point range would complement scorers Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram better than current starting center Jakob Poeltl, whose lack of a perimeter game often shrinks the floor.
Moving Poeltl could prove challenging. The 28-year-old is slated to earn $19.5 million next season before a three-year, $84 million extension begins. The first two seasons of that extension are fully guaranteed, while the final year carries only a partial guarantee.
Milwaukee’s willingness to discuss Turner reportedly hinges on whether the club proceeds with a broader roster overhaul after resolving the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes.
Source: Hoops Rumors
