Hawks join Turner s battle! Offense and defense are all-round or solve defensive efficiency and three-point double 18-point dilemma

According to reporter Grant Afseth, in addition to the Pistons, the Hawks have also joined the pursuit of center Miles Turner. Turner, who is currently rushing to the championship with the Pacers, will become a full free agent this summer.

Reports in recent weeks have repeatedly pointed out that the Pacers and Turner are interested in reaching a new contract, and that the Pacers are willing to become a luxury tax payment team for the first time since 2006 to facilitate this. Famous reporter Jake Fischer previously wrote that league executives generally believe that Turner is "very likely" to stay in Indiana, and salary experts predict that his new contract may be $30 million annually.

However, Grant Afseth mentioned that the Hawks are "watching closely the situation of Turner" as veteran center Capela and Larry Nance Jr. will both become full free agents in the offseason. Despite having second-place defensive player of the year, Dyson Daniels put pressure on the outside, Atlanta's defensive efficiency in the 2024-25 season is still ranked 18th, and his three-point shooting percentage is also ranked 18th. As a big man who can open up space (39.6% of three-point shooting percentage in 2024-25) and protect the basket (2.0 blocks per game), Turner will be an important asset on both offense and defense.

But if the Pacers are determined to keep Turner and he has no intention of leaving the team, then the possibility of him joining the Hawks is slim. The Eagles are expected to have no salary space this summer. Unless they are undergoing a significant salary cut, the Pacers need to cooperate to sign first and then exchange to get Turner, which seems unrealistic. Since the Pacers have Bird rights from Turner, they can provide them with the highest salary contract if they are willing to bear the luxury tax.