If the Warriors’ reported interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t materialize by the Feb. 5 trade deadline - and let’s be honest, prying a two-time MVP from Milwaukee is no easy task - Golden State would be wise to have a Plan B. And according to a recent proposal, that backup plan could involve a defensive anchor who fits a very real need: Myles Turner.
The idea, floated in a recent trade concept, has the Warriors acquiring Turner - the 29-year-old Pacers big man and two-time blocks leader - in a deal centered around Jonathan Kuminga. The full framework includes Kuminga, Quinten Post, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and a top-20-protected 2032 first-round pick heading to Indiana.
Now, on the surface, Turner’s numbers this season might not jump off the page: 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. But that’s not where his true value lies.
For the 10th straight season, his team’s defense is better with him on the floor than off - a stat that says more than any box score. According to Cleaning the Glass, Turner’s presence continues to be a defensive game-changer.
And that’s exactly what the Warriors have been missing since the days of Andrew Bogut. Golden State hasn’t had a true rim protector who can alter shots and anchor the paint in nearly a decade.
Turner, even if his 1.7 blocks per game this season are a step down from his peak, still brings that kind of fear factor to the interior. At 6-foot-11, he’s the kind of player who makes opposing guards think twice before attacking the rim.
But Turner isn’t just a shot-blocker. He’s a modern big - the kind who can stretch the floor and open up the offense. That’s where the fit with Stephen Curry gets intriguing.
Curry’s never had a true stretch five to run pick-and-pop sets with. Sure, the Warriors have had versatile bigs and high-IQ screeners, but Turner brings a different dimension. His ability to step out beyond the arc and knock down threes would give Curry another weapon in the two-man game - and give defenses one more headache.
Imagine a Curry-Turner pick-and-pop with Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins spacing the floor. That’s a lot of shooting, a lot of movement, and a lot of problems for opposing defenses.
Of course, giving up Kuminga - who’s shown flashes of real growth this season - would be a tough pill to swallow. He’s young, athletic, and starting to figure things out.
But if the Warriors are serious about maximizing what’s left of the Curry era, adding a player like Turner makes a lot of sense. He fills a need, fits the system, and brings veteran stability to a frontcourt that’s lacked consistency.
If the Giannis dream fades, Turner could be a realistic and impactful pivot - one that strengthens the Warriors on both ends of the floor and helps them stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.