The Los Angeles Lakers have “highly valued” Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner over the past few seasons, but they may not be able to acquire him via trade, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Lakers trade rumors: Pacers center Myles Turner in final season of two-year, $58M contract extension
Buha, responding to fan questions on Sunday night's broadcast, said the Lakers had been pursuing Turner midway through the 2022-23 season and had been inquiring about him ever since.
Buha, however, questioned the Pacers' willingness to negotiate a trade deal involving Turner this season, adding “I haven't heard that he's a legitimate candidate.”
According to Spotrac, Turner is in the final season of a two-year, $58 million contract extension he signed with Indiana as part of a renegotiation and extension agreement.
In 27 games this season (all starts), Turner averaged 31.3 minutes per game, 15 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.1 blocks, shooting 48.2% from the field, and a career-high three-point shooting rate. A career-high 40.7%.
The 28-year-old Turner currently ranks fourth in blocks (56) and fifth in block rate (6.1%). However, the two-time shot-blocking champion is also averaging a career-low 14.4 efficiency rating.
Indiana demands fair compensation for Turner
With the 6-foot-11 Turner set to become a free agent, his future in Indianapolis is bound to be one of the hot topics among Indiana's front office. He said in October that “I can't help but laugh” at the steady stream of rumors and that “at this point, every year in Indiana is a contract year.”
Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan may decide to pull the trigger on a potential trade this time around. But the other team might not be the Lakers because their superstar is off limits. Buha said Los Angeles clearly needs a “tough, physical, defensive-minded center.”
According to Basketball-Reference, the Lakers rank 16th in offensive efficiency (112.3), 20th in defensive efficiency (114.3), 27th in total rebounds (41.6 per game), and 17th in blocking (5.1 per game). .
At the same time, the Pacers ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14 wins and 15 losses. The team remains just two games behind the fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
Indiana can secure a top-six seed and avoid the tournament. Indiana is demanding hefty compensation for Turner if a trade comes to fruition. Unless the Lakers are so desperate to acquire Turner, the Pacers will likely spend the season without the 10-year veteran.
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