The Charlotte Bobcats are interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers swingman Evan Turner, according to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell:
NBA trade rumors: Bobcats interested in Sixers’ Evan Turner
The Bobcats have inquired about Evan Turner, who is on the trading block in Philadelphia.
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers are open to trading forward Evan Turner and the Charlotte Bobcats have looked into acquiring him, an NBA source confirmed to the Observer Monday.
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Nothing about the Bobcats’ interest appears imminent to making a deal.
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Bonnell noted that just because there is some interest does not mean that Charlotte will be willing to give Philadelphia the assets it is hoping to acquire prior to the Feb. 20 trade deadline.
Turner’s name has been floated in rumors since general manager Sam Hinkie took over the team last summer, and Turner himself is aware of the situation. The Sixers have not looked into extending his contract, and he is eligible to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Turner hasn’t been surprised, via The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney:
"I never expected to get a contract extension, especially when we switched GMs, you know?" Turner said. "I always said, Mr. Hinkie is going to do what he wants to do, and he has his own vision and everything like that. So when you trade an All-Star like Jrue [Holiday], I mean, what occurs next isn't going to surprise me. I was just trying my best to keep focused, keep helping the team win and getting better."
On Monday, Turner addressed the trade rumors again, saying that he tries his best not to read everything written about him, via CSN Philly’s Dei Lynam:
“I really don’t read the paper,” Turner said. “Whatever occurs is going to occur, so I just focus on the next day. That is the God’s honest truth. Had I been reading the paper, I would be packed for different weather. I would put all my winter clothes away. I bleed Sixers blue.”
Philly head coach Brett Brown praised his players for their approach to a "bizarre environment" and went as far as to say he's surprised there haven't been major trades already, via Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times:
#Sixers Brown on trade rumors: 'It's been an incredible surprise to have our team intact this late in the year.'
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) February 3, 2014 Turner makes some sense on the surface for Charlotte. Scoring just 100.6 points per 100 possessions, the Bobcats have the league's fifth-worst offense, per Basketball-Reference, and Turner has the ability to create shots for himself and others. His inconsistent outside shot and the fact that he is best with the ball in his hands makes him a questionable fit with point guard Kemba Walker, however.
It also remains unclear why Charlotte makes sense as a trade partner from the Sixers’ perspective. If the Bobcats aren’t willing to surrender any draft picks or young talent, it seems unlikely that they will have the proper pieces to get a deal done.
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