This proposed trade sends Myles Turner to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that has made a number of moves to be more competitive this summer, and there is no doubt that their current priority is to try and build a competitive team around Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Though the team doesn’t have much trade flexibility right now, they could potentially make trades with their newly signed players in October. One priority for the team should be to make a move for an elite frontcourt partner for Anthony Davis. One solid target would be Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, who is renowned both for his shot-blocking ability and for his 3PT shooting. Here is a potential trade framework.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
There is no doubt that this could be a solid trade for the Los Angeles Lakers based on their current roster construction. Here is why the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers should consider making this deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers Land The Perfect Frontcourt Partner For Anthony Davis
One of the biggest problems for the Los Angeles Lakers during the regular season is Anthony Davis being injury-prone. We all know that Davis is a top-10 player when fully healthy, and there’s no doubt that he is the sort of game-changing two-way superstar every championship team needs. Perhaps adding a frontcourt player who can suit up at C will be beneficial for Davis from a durability standpoint, and Myles Turner seems like the perfect fit on both ends of the floor.
This past season with the Indiana Pacers, Kyle Turner averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He also shot 37.3% from 3PT range on 4.0 attempts, which is outstanding efficiency for a center. On offense, he is someone who can roll to the rim or space the floor, and defensively, he is a great shot blocker. Turner could increase the spacing in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers, and defensively, he would make an elite dual big pairing with Anthony Davis.
The Los Angeles Lakers would have to give up a decent amount for Myles Turner, sending out D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two second-round picks. This would be a basic consolidation trade for the team, and Myles Turner should in theory be easier to trade for at this moment because he only has two years left on his deal. In theory, Myles Turner is exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers are missing at this moment, and the team should definitely try to get him before the start of the season.
The Indiana Pacers Get A Dynamic Backcourt Player For Tyrese Haliburton
Even though D’Angelo Russell has his critics, most people agree that Russell is a fairly versatile guard who can play either backcourt slot. He should be a great partner for Tyrese Haliburton at the SG position, as Russell is capable of playing off-ball as a secondary playmaker. The guard has shown that he can thrive with other high-usage players already. On the Pacers, Russell should end up with a larger role as well, which will help him rebuild his stock and earn a long-term lucrative contract when he becomes a free agent once again. This season, D’Angelo Russell averaged 17.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
The rest of this deal is made up of Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and future second-round picks. Vanderbilt isn’t necessarily as good as Myles Turner, but he is a great rebounder and rim roller. With this trade, Jarred Vanderbilt would start at the C position. Though he will be a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, Vanderbilt should still be a worthwhile acquisition for the Indiana Pacers, especially if they can find a way to retain him. The second-round picks are a sweetener in this scenario, but obviously still have some value to a rebuilding team such as the Indiana Pacers.
Jalen Hood-Schifino is a rookie who already has solid defensive ability, and his feel for the game was apparent even during his college days. He could be a prospect that the Indiana Pacers develop over time. He would get plenty of minutes on the Indiana Pacers, and could eventually blossom into a quality role player.
Overall, this is a trade that gets the Indiana Pacers some solid pieces that can contribute immediately and going forward. Playing with another elite guard could help Tyrese Haliburton take his game to the next level, and adding a defensive piece like Jarred Vanderbilt could also be beneficial for the team’s chances this season. Trading Myles Turner for this deal could be too good to pass up for the Pacers, especially since he will be on an expiring contract after the 2023-24 season.
This Would Be The Perfect Deal For The Los Angeles Lakers
There is no doubt that Myles Turner is a dream acquisition for the Los Angeles Lakers, especially this season while they are competing for a championship. His s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set clearly has a place on a championship team, and the Los Angeles Lakers would be a team where he could be the best version of himself.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers would get a solid trade package for one of their veteran players which would include some future assets. Adding D’Angelo Russell would be the main draw, as he is a diverse offensive player who can provide a great impact on that end of the floor.
It remains to be seen if the two teams will come together on a deal with this framework. It makes sense for both sides and perhaps something like this will happen ahead of the trade deadline.
