The Atlanta Hawks are among teams with reported interest in adding current Pacers big man Myles Turner in the 2025 offseason. While the Pacers are still playing in the NBA Finals, it is hard not to take a look at a growing free agent market for the impressive center. There is an easy argument to be made that Turner is the top free agent expected to hit the market. A piece of this is due to an extremely underwhelming free agent class. However, there is no denying Turner's impact and progression in helping the Pacers make impressive playoff runs each of the last two seasons.
For Atlanta, opting to target Turner makes sense when you consider Clint Capela is poised to hit free agency as well. Where this stops making sense is when you consider what exactly the veteran brings to the franchise. You're going to be paying absolute top dollar for a player that doesn't move the needle as drastically as Hawks fans are hoping for. While the move is better than nothing, it shouldn't be Atlanta's top priority when it comes to potential offseason targets.
The Atlanta Hawks are expected to show interest in Myles Turner, per @GrantAfseth pic.twitter.com/RtThvRISKn
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 9, 2025
Hawks Must Be Cautious Pursuing Center Myles Turner
The Hawks should have aspirations of landing another star player to push the franchise into contention for the Eastern Conference. Sitting back and hoping that Trae Young and a collection of young talent will be enough is exactly what has left the team mired in mediocrity for the last four seasons. Nothing is changing unless the new front office is willing to take big swings.
Signing Myles Turner isn't the risk the team needs to make, even if it is a notable improvement. Adding the current Pacer leaves Atlanta completely reliant on Trae bouncing back from a down season and the continued progression of the team's young pieces. It isn't the star player that this roster so badly needs to help push them over the top.
With the Eastern Conference in such disarray heading into the 2025 offseason, there has never been a better time to push your chips to the center of the table if you're the Hawks. Unless you have the money to sign Turner and pull off a trade for another star, the move is yet another example of the franchise leaving its fate in the hands of young pieces and a point guard who has made it clear he needs more help. No question, Turner is an upgrade, but one that comes with a hefty price tag without clearly altering a limited ceiling for next season's Hawks.