"It's good to feel wanted" - Myles Turner reacts to LA Lakers and Brooklyn Nets fans calling for him to get traded
Myles Turner is liking the recent attention he's getting from LA Lakers and Brooklyn Nets fans. Turner has been linked with both teams in a potential trade this season. He's in the final year of his contract with the Indiana Pacers and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
In an interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Turner said that he appreciates the love from the LA and Brooklyn fan base. He explained that he's used to being involved in trade rumors.
"It's good to feel wanted," Turner said. "It's nothing that bothers me, I guess. It's something I'm accustomed to and used to at this point in my career. It's just funny sometimes when you see the memes and certain things people say. You just brush it off and do your job. This is what comes with the job."
Myles Turner, along with teammate Buddy Hield, has been linked with the LA Lakers the most.
Turner even thinks the Lakers should pull the trigger on the trade. He told Adrian Wojnarowski on "The Woj Pod" that he would bring a lot to the table to help the Lakers succeed.
"If I'm the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you're in," Turner said. "I know what I can provide a team – my leadership, my shot-blocking, my 3-point ability, and just my ability to make plays out there on the floor. And I'd take a very long look at it, but as far as pulling the trigger, I get paid to shoot, not to make these calls, so I couldn't answer that."
The possible trade between the Lakers and Pacers involves three players and two draft picks. The Lakers are interested in Turner and Hield, while the Pacers are open to acquiring Russell Westbrook and two future unprotected first round picks.
To read Myles Turner's entire interview with HoopsHype, click here.
Will LA Lakers make trade with Indiana Pacers?
The LA Lakers finally won their first game of the season on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers shot well from beyond the arc, and Russell Westbrook played great off the bench. However, the issues surrounding the Lakers won't go away with one good performance.
With Turner of the Pacers essentially saying the Lakers should trade for him, will general manager Rob Pelinka pull the trigger? Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has reported that several NBA executives and agents believe the Lakers will eventually make a trade.
The execs and agents think that the Pacers' offer of Turner and Buddy Hield might be the best on the market. However, they won't be surprised if the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets emerge as potential trade partners for the Lakers. Later in the season, more teams could enter the fray if they decide to tank for Victor Wembanyama.