Why Do The Los Angeles Lakers Do This Trade?

For the Los Angeles Lakers, this trade nets them a legitimate starting center. Anthony Davis has voiced his preference to be playing power forward and the acquisition of Myles Turner would enable him to do that full-time. A frontcourt pairing of Davis and Turner would be a lot for opposing teams to handle because of the versatility each has in their games.

Los Angeles would be adding a much-needed floor spacer to their lineup as well. The Lakers were not a good 3-point shooting team last season, but adding Turner and his 35.2 career percentage from distance would be helpful. He will also help at the free-throw line, where the Lakers ranked 27th in percentage last season.

Defensively, where the Lakers are already elite, they would improve as well. Turner is as good as it gets when it comes to rim protection, as he led the NBA with 3.4 blocks per game. For his career he has blocked 2.2 shots per game, giving the Lakers two great rim protectors and getting them back more to the style of play that helped them win the championship in the Orlando Bubble.

One of the biggest positives from this Myles Turner trade is that the Lakers won’t have to part ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP is their most consistent 3-point shooter and a solid defender on the wing. That is something the Lakers need more of, not less, so holding onto him is key.

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In many trade scenarios that have been floated out involving the Lakers, Caldwell-Pope’s contract has been used to help make salaries match. For Turner, Kuzma’s contract is enough to facilitate a deal on its own.