Blazers: 5 goals for Evan Turner to achieve in 2018-2019

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DENVER, CO – APRIL 9: Evan Turner (1) of the Portland Trail Blazers flexes as the Trailblazers led the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the Nuggets’ 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Evan Turner will take on a different role in Portland’s offense next season. What should his goals be to perform the best at his new position?

In 2017-2018, Evan Turner recorded his lowest point and rebound averages since his rookie season, as well as a career-low in assists per game. The Blazers gave the point-forward 25.7 minutes each outing, but he only posted 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

When he was on the court, Portland had a net rating of minus-1.5 – when he was off the court, its net rating jumped to plus-5.6. Overall, Turner made the Blazers 7.1 points worse by being on the court. The two players with a worse net rating were Meyers Leonard and Jake Layman, neither of whom were part of the rotation.

The two years that remain on Turner’s contract are worth $36.4 million. Optimistic Blazers fans expected him to moderately live up to the contract in Allen Crabbe‘s absence last season, but his numbers dropped across the board as his usage rate and field goal attempts slipped.

In the upcoming season, Neil Olshey intends to give Turner a bigger ball handling role for the second unit. With an increased usage rate, hopefully he can take care of the ball and generate open looks for the three-point shooting reserves that surround him.

Here are the five goals for Turner to bounce back and help facilitate Portland’s bench group.