One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Myles Turner and TJ McConnell from the Indiana Pacers this offseason.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Lakers send Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba, Max Christie, and the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to the Pacers for Turner and McConnell.
“The Turner-to-L.A. talks have had such a long shelf life, because that fit looks so intriguing on paper,” Buckley wrote. “He could keep the floor spaced for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to attack. On defense, Turner would make the Lakers massive without greatly sacrificing their mobility. Assemble the right supporting cast around them, and you could be looking a top-five defense and top-10 offense. That’s championship-level basketball, which should be L.A.’s lone concern with James nearing the end of his legendary career. The Lakers would lose a few long-term assets here, but if anyone should prioritize the present over the future, it’s the Purple and Gold.
“While Turner would be the headline pickup, T.J. McConnell could be a sneaky-good get, too. He rarely hoists from distance, so he isn’t an ideal fit, but he takes care of the basketball (career 5.0 assists against 1.6 turnovers) and is a defensive pest both on the ball and in passing lanes.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Los Angeles Lakers & Indiana Pacers Updates
Turner averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.3 blocks for the Pacers in 2022-23. The two-time blocks champion, who signed a two-year, $58 million extension with Indiana in January, shot 54.8% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc.
The Lakers almost acquired Turner and Buddy Hield last offseason and this season for Russell Westbrook. Los Angeles nearly sent Westbrook and unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to Indiana for Turner and Hield before Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka determined that giving up two future draft picks was too steep of a cost to pay.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner, Los Angeles Lakers & Indiana Pacers Updates
Turner has career averages of 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.3 blocks. Meanwhile, McConnell has career numbers of 7.1 points, 3.0 boards and 5.0 assists.
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