How Likely Is an Evan Turner Trade?

Evan Turner’s generous contract offer from Neil Olshey and the Portland Trail Blazers still hangs over Portland’s payroll even two years in. But, there are only two years that remain on his four-year, $70 million deal, making the financial commitment from a potential trade partner a little easier to swallow if the Blazers pursued a deal. Turner’s starter-level pay makes him only a long shot to be traded, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report says in his trade candidates by position series:

Moving Evan Turner and the $36.5 million he’s owed through 2019-20 feels impossible. And it very well might be. It could cost Portland two first-round picks or prospects to unload his salary.

Toughing it out for another year and shopping Turner as an expiring contract next summer is the preferred option. But the Blazers may not have that kind of time. With Pat Connaughton (restricted), Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier (restricted) and Jusuf Nurkic (restricted) all up for new contracts, they’re projected to blow past the $123 million luxury-tax line.

Turner averaged 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 25.7 minutes per game last season.

Former Blazer Wesley Matthews also appears in long-shot trade territory, with Favale saying it depends on the Mavericks’ desire to contend.

You can read the rest of Favale’s piece here.