It's the NBA's worst-kept secret: the Lakers need to make a trade and Myles Turner is a potential target.
On an appearance on the Woj Pod on Monday, Turner had an interesting answer to whether or not he thinks the Lakers should trade their two future drafts for...him.
“If I’m the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you are in, and I know I can provide to a team my leadership, my shot blocking, my three-point ability and just my ability to make plays out there on the floor. I would take a very long look at it,” Turner said. "But as far as pulling the trigger, I get paid to shoot, not to make these calls so I couldn't answer that."
The Lakers and Turner connection or interest dates back to the summer. LA has been in the market for someone who would fit playing next to Anthony Davis, who prefers to play the four spot. They also need some 3-point shooting. Turner checks both those boxes.
An elite and rare 3-and-D big, Turner is a multi-time shot block champion and has been a 34.9 percent three-point shooter for his career, but playing in a smaller market like Indiana for his entire career might have had his skillset flying under the radar. Something that wouldn't be a problem in the bright lights of LA.
“Just playing in the bigger market, I just feel like here in the Midwest we don’t get the love that I think we deserve," Turner said. "You are under the microscope out there at the West, when you are doing bad you going to hear about it. When you are doing great you are going to get a lot of love, especially with the love that the Lakers get.
“I think that another aspect that is playing with greatness and playing under LeBron, I feel like he demands certain level of excellency especially at this point of his career. It's just one of those things where you know when you're out there you gotta perform and people are going to expect you to go out there and hold onto that legacy the Lakers have built over the years."
Myles Turner contract
While a Turner trade to the Lakers doesn't appear to be as imminent as it once was, the Pacers can't drag their feet forever. The trade deadline looms on Feb. 9 and Turner becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end. Turner counts for $18.0 million against the cap this season and is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million contract, of which $70 million is guaranteed.
Even though Turner may not be a part of Indiana's long-term future, he's a significant piece and for a team rebuilding, losing Turner for nothing would a disaster.
“I know that, coming into a contract year, you can’t lose me for anything," Turner continued. "They can’t have the notion of me playing out this year, they don’t trade me, and […] let’s say free agency comes around, and I don’t resign here...let's just be real that just bad on the organization them not making a power move with that.
"So if they do trade me and they do get assets for me coming along...they're doing what's best for them and just looking out for...doing what they're paid to do. And there's no hard feelings with that."
Buddy Hield contract
The name most often attached with Turner in any Lakers rumors is shooting guard Buddy Hield. Unlike Turner, the sharpshooter is not on an expiring deal and does not become a free agent until 2024. Hield makes $20.5 million this season and $18.6 million next year, a team-friendly de-escalating contract. He originally inked his current four-year, $94 million dollar contract with the Kings prior to the 2020-21 season.