In one of the more unexpected moves of an unusual offseason, Evan Turner is reportedly heading to the Boston Celtics — as an assistant coach.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Monday that Turner was finalizing a deal to join the Celtics’ coaching staff and that the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA draft is expected to focus on player development.
Though still only 32 years old, Turner has grown into a widely respected veteran.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“He has a great heart, and always means the best for everybody,” Blazers big man Zach Collins told The Athletic’s Jason Quick last year. “He has stayed positive, no matter what, and I think that speaks to why he has been so successful in the league.”
Turner has played for five teams and spent his longest stint with the Sixers, averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 279 games at the beginning of his career. His most productive season was the 2013-14 campaign as he posted 17.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during Year 1 of The Process for the Sixers before being dealt to the Pacers. Turner was in Boston as a player for two seasons.
Sixers guard Seth Curry, a teammate of Turner’s on the 2018-19 Blazers, liked the move.
Celtics All-Star point guard Kemba Walker is just two years younger than Turner. The role of coach seems a bit more fitting for Turner with players like 21-year-old Romeo Langford, 22-year-old Grant Williams and 22-year-old Jayson Tatum.
Subscribe to the Sixers Talk podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube