3 potential Myles Turner to LA Lakers trade scenarios to get the Indiana Pacers' center, including a package with Buddy Hield
On the most recent “Woj Pod”, Myles Turner discussed the possibility of being traded to the LA Lakers. It seemed as if he was making his own case for why the Lakers should try to acquire him.
The team is currently 1-5 and may need some help if it wants to contend in the Western Conference. However, the Lakers don’t have a lot of assets due to some of their offseason moves in recent years. It will take creativity on the part of all the teams involved to make a trade.
3 Possible Trade Scenarios for Myles Turner
#1 - Lakers give up Russell Westbrook and 2027 and 2029 first-round picks
The most popular scenario that was discussed in the media before the season started was the Lakers giving up Russell Westbrook and their two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Pacers for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.
However, this option would give up all of the near-future Lakers required to build a roster, making them a team that doesn’t pick in the first round until 2030. Just a few years ago, they gave away picks for Anthony Davis and don’t have much left. This is not a good idea when your top star is in his 20th season.
Lakers reportedly held up trade talks with Pacers involving Buddy Hield and Myles Turner:
“If the Lakers want Buddy Hield and Myles Turner they need to give up Russell Westbrook and the two first round picks…Otherwise stop calling the Pacers GM phone!” — @ShannonSharpe https://t.co/tUEifXDdHu
#2 - Trade two picks
The second option is that the Lakers could not involve Westbrook or Hield. Instead, just trade the two picks for Myles Turner or even just one pick along with another player on the roster as Turner will leave after this year anyway and the Indiana Pacers will get nothing.
The player the Lakers could most likely trade is Patrick Beverly. His $13 million salary would help offset Myles Turner's $25 million, but would still need a little work. Is owner Jeanie Buss ready to go even further over the salary cap?
#3- Find a third team to add to the trade
The third option is for the Lakers to find a third team to add to the trade. They may even need a fourth or a fifth team as well. Multi-team trades are a good way to manage salary cap issues while also trying to help each organization get something that they want.
The Lakers could use the picks to trade away one of the point guards listed on the roster. One option is to add Utah to the mix, as they traded away their two best players this past offseason. They might be interested in picks from the Lakers, along with some players from other trade partners.