The unofficial start of the NBA trade season is December 15th as that is when a majority of the trade restrictions on players are lifted and different trade packages can be built. While that is still a month away, there are already some rumors beginning to swirl.
One of the more intriguing players to keep an eye on is Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers. He has been the subject of trade rumors for years, yet a deal has never materialized. His name will once again be mentioned regularly on the rumor mill as he is playing out the final season of his contract.
That puts the Pacers in a tough spot. They are not a franchise that will go into a full-on teardown rebuild such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they did trade away some veterans in the past 10 months to reshape their future.
Indiana is in no rush to make a deal as they have until the trade deadline on February 10th or they could work out a sign-and-trade in the offseason when he is an unrestricted free agent. However, the demand for him could be too strong to ignore.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers & LA Clippers Updates
One team that has been linked to Turner a lot is the Los Angeles Lakers. They are struggling mightily and have to make a trade at some point either restocking the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis or unloading them and rebuilding.
Alas, they are not the only Los Angeles team showing interest in Turner. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the LA Clippers are now considering making Turner a trade target this season.
“The Clippers are believed to be shopping some of their excess wing depth and are less likely to move a ball-handling guard like Reggie Jackson or John Wall. Team governor Steve Ballmer has shown a willingness to pay luxury taxes—the need to pay Turner after the season wouldn’t be a deterrent for L.A.”
The Clippers have arguably the deepest, most talented roster in the NBA but if there is one weakness, it is the frontcourt, specifically the center spot. Ivica Zubac is the only traditional big man that they have after Isaiah Hartenstein departed in free agency, signing with the New York Knicks. Adding size is imperative for Los Angeles as they would be in a bind should Zubac ever be forced to miss time.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers & LA Clippers Updates
To match salary, one of Norman Powell, Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson or Marcus Morris Sr. would likely be on the move. As Pincus mentioned, moving some of their excess wing depth would be their intention, so Jackson would probably be off the table.
Prospects such as Brandon Boston Jr., Jason Preston and Moussa Diabite could be of interest to the Pacers as well. A selection in the 2028 or 2029 draft is the only first-rounder that the Clippers can offer as their picks are tied up from the Paul George trade.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers & LA Clippers Updates
The Clippers’ interest seems legitimate given their needs and aspirations to contend for a championship. But, could this also be some posturing being done by the Pacers, looking to extract as much value out of the Lakers as possible?
Regardless of intentions, expect Turner trade rumors to pick up in the coming weeks and months. If he isn’t traded ahead of the deadline, those rumors will continue through the offseason as he would be a prime sign-and-trade candidate if Indiana isn’t keen on keeping him long-term.
