Turner was selected in the third round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, but traded to the Boston Celtics. He played for seven teams in the NBA: the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Bullets. In 170 games with these seven teams, he holds career averages of 4.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His most productive year was in 1990–91, when he averaged 5.9 points and 4.4 assists in 70 games for the Philadelphia 76ers. Turner also played in the Continental Basketball Association for the La Crosse Catbirds, where he led the team to the 1989–1990 CBA Championship, and in the World Basketball League for the Memphis Rockers.