Report: Evan Turner to Be Celtics Assistant Coach, Focus on Player Development

The Boston Celtics have reportedly hired Evan Turner as an assistant coach under Brad Stevens.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Turner will focus on player development.

Turner appeared in 19 games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2019-20, the final season of his 10-year NBA career. He previously played for the Celtics from 2014-16. 

The Celtics have several drafted young players in recent years whom Turner could be tasked with developing. They added shooters Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard in the first round of the 2020 draft, and they drafted Romeo Langford and Grant Williams last year.

Turner had a well-rounded game throughout his career, with the exception of his jumper, so he may focus on fine-tuning the other parts of Nesmith and Pritchard's games. 

The Ohio State product was also renowned around the league as a fun, lighthearted locker room presence, so his personality alone should help round out the Boston staff. Having just finished his days as an NBA player, Turner might also be able to use his personal experience to his advantage as he begins his coaching career.