NBA Trade deadline: Lakers targeting Indiana’s former block champion

As the NBA trade deadline nears, the buzz in the trade market gets louder. Teams are scrambling to make moves, and the Los Angeles Lakers are also pushing harder. While earlier reports suggested the Lakers were focused on acquiring Jonas Valanciunas or Nikola Vucevic, the recent rumours claim that the Los Angeles side has now shifted their focus to Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

According to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the front office has had “internal conversations” regarding Myles Turner. This shift in focus comes after the Bulls and Wizards reportedly demanded a first-round pick and a protected first, respectively, for Vucevic and Valanciunas.

The 6-11 big man could be just what the Lakers need to make a serious push in the Western Conference. Right now, the Lakers are 5th in the West with a 26-19 record, but they’re looking to upgrade their roster before the deadline.

Turner has been with the Pacers since they drafted him in 2015. This season, he has been putting up 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.

At 28 years old, Turner is in the final season of a two-year, $58 million deal, and according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Pacers are not keen to give $30-plus million contract extension to him.

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Lakers taking Anthony Davis’ request seriously

The reports of Lakers front office eyeing to add Turner indicates that the franchise is taking Anthony Davis’ request seriously. In an interview with ESPN’s Shams Charania, Davis made it clear that he wants to play as a power forward. “I think we need another Big,” Davis said. “I feel I’ve always been at my best when I was being a four”, he added.

The Lakers could send Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, a 2029 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Pacers in exchange for Turner.