If the opportunity strikes for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Myles Turner, they can't be afraid to go all-in on the two-time NBA blocks leader. It'd be a risky strategy for a 50-win team, but the Indiana Pacers have provided a blueprint for how Los Angeles can win as soon as 2025-26.
With an ideally constructed sign-and-trade, there's ample reason to believe acquiring the big man would be the perfect step forward.
Turner is certain to be one of the most highly-coveted players [on the open market](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-most-important-offseason-decision-completely-hands). The Pacers will be at the top of the list of suitors, as the big man has helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in consecutive seasons.
With Indiana closing in on its first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years, it's hard to imagine Chad Buchanan and company being unwilling to do whatever it takes to re-sign Turner.
If Turner decides he wants to leave the Pacers, however, a sign-and-trade will become a viable option for the Lakers to pursue. They lack the resources to realistically sign him outright, but could complete the aforementioned sign-and-trade and bring themselves into a higher tier of competition.
Turner isn't the lob target that Luka Doncic dreams of, but he's still an excellent fit who can allow the Lakers to define a sustainably successful ideology that their superstar would thrive within.
Myles Turner: Prototypical 3-and-D big, proven postseason performer
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Turner, 29, has spent the past 10 seasons proving that he can contribute to postseason and borderline championship-caliber success. He's made seven postseason appearances as a starting big in Indiana, thriving on defense and expanding his role while improving his production on offense.
The prototypical two-way stretch big, Turner is a plug-and-play talent whom defensive-minded coaches can only dream of featuring.
Turner has always been a quality player, but he's taken his game to a new level over the past three seasons. During that time, he's posted regular season averages of 16.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 offensive boards, 1.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.7 three-point field goals made per game on .517/.377/.776 shooting.
Turner's offensive improvement has translated remarkably well to the postseason, where he's averaged 16.6 points on .517/.427/.767 shooting between Indiana's two trips to the Conference Finals.
While not quite the lob target whom Doncic seemingly prefers, Turner is the defensive anchor Los Angeles needs. He's one of the most dominant shot-blockers and rim protectors in the NBA, more than making up for his rebounding woes with his ability to deter opponents from driving the lane.
Turner is also as close to a sharpshooting big as one will find, with his efficiency benefiting the Pacers in the regular season and postseason postseason alike.
Myles Turner: An underrated (and elite) pick-and-roll finisher
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The quality that Turner provides in the playoffs is the primary reason Los Angeles should overlook the fact that he's not necessarily the perfect structural fit. It only scratches the surface, however, of why the Lakers should be willing to bet the house on a sign-and-trade.
Turner may not be a rim-runner, but he's one of the most adaptable players in the NBA—and has proven to thrive alongside playmakers who like to create on the move.
The Doncic and Turner pairing, as well as that with LeBron James and Austin Reaves, could thus prove fruitful. All three of the Lakers' high-volume playmakers would have a player who's willing to set screens and capable of punishing defenses for giving them space.
While not a lob threat, Turner is also an elite pick and roll dive man, as evidenced by the fact that he ranked No. 3 among qualified players in points via that very play in 2024-25.
If that's not enough to sell you, try the fact that Turner ranked in the top 15 among qualified players in screen assists per game. He's not only an efficient scorer, but active in his team's offensive sets and capable of simplifying the game for everyone around him.
As the Lakers look for the right fit at center, expanding the definition to include a player who isn't necessarily a lob threat would lead them straight to Turner.