Excited Evan Turner Says "I Can Help" The Portland Trail Blazers

Joe Freeman at OregonLive caught up with Evan Turner after he reached an agreement to join the Portland Trail Blazers. Evan Turner may not have been the Portland Trail Blazers' first choice, but the new swingman is happy to be a member of the team.

In an interview with Joe Freeman of The Oregonian/Oregon Live, Turner expressed a desire to help out Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

"I think they need another playmaker on the court so teams don't focus so much on CJ and Dame. With all the great shooters they already have, I can help."

Turner also expressed confidence in his ability to handle the ball and find the open man in Portland's fast moving offense.

The contract numbers (4 years, $70 million) were a factor in Turner's signing, but Turner insisted his potential role in the Blazers organization meant more.

"When I woke up this morning and the negotiations started — it blew me away.  But it's much more than a number. The fit was important for me."

Turner is entering his seventh season after being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2010.  He spent the last two seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2015-2016.  He averaged 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists last season while finishing with a career-best 3.0 defensive win shares.He is expected to start at small forward next to Lillard and McCollum this fall.