KEY POINTS

  • Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is on the radar of big-name NBA teams
  • The Lakers are said to be exploring a trade deal for Turner
  • Marc Gasol has failed to make an impact and is unlikely to play in the next few games

The Los Angeles Lakers have set sights on another defensive big man.

To this day, veteran center Marc Gasol still hasn’t made his mark in the current Lakers team.

The need to fill the void in the frontcourt is becoming more evident, and rumors have now linked the Lakers to Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, Indy Star’s J. Michael reported, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, a handful of big-name NBA teams are now keeping tabs on Turner, including the Lakers.

“The New York Knicks, L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among those who have explored whether the Pacers are willing to part with the league's leading shot-blocker, league sources tell IndyStar,” Michael wrote.

It was also noted that the Pacers had previously considered trading the NBA’s best shot-blocker in the past, and the same scenario could happen again soon.

“And that's to be expected. The Pacers were open to trading him before the 2020-21 season began when they put Turner in a deal to get Gordon Hayward from the Boston Celtics with a sign-and-trade,” he stated.

“If there's a move to be made, league sources tell IndyStar, the Pacers aren't shopping Turner,” the insider added. “Understand, however, the trade market can change on a dime. When they shipped Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets two months ago for LeVert, that kind of deal wasn't there before the season tipped.”

Myles Turner
Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers Getty Images | Michael Reaves

Turner is in the second year of his current four-year deal with the Pacers. The contract implies that the 24-year-old is earning a $17.5 million base salary each season, a decent figure for the league’s leading shot-blocker.

Should the Lakers managed to swing a deal for Turner, his addition would be huge for Frank Vogel’s squad with Gasol appears to be declining.

Vogel previously lifted the lid on the Spaniard’s main role in his team, emphasizing that Gasol is there “ to defend, rebound and playmake.” However, the three-time All-Star hasn’t found his rhythm yet, and his health has also become a concern this season.

As for Turner, the youngster brings an intensity that the Lakers’ frontcourt defense yearns all throughout the season. However, the only area that needs improvement is his rebounding.

"It's unfortunate because when I'm hitting those guys [with blocks], I'm not getting the rebounds so the stat sheet looks like, 'Oh he doesn't rebound. Oh, he's soft,'" Turner previously said. "That's just the narrative that comes with it."

RELATED STORIES