Anyone who's been following the Los Angeles Lakers' offseason buzz knows that upgrading the frontcourt is one of general manager Rob Pelinka's top priorities this summer. Alex Len and Jaxson Hayes' abysmal late-season and playoff performances proved that the Lakers' big-man depth isn't up to snuff, highlighting the need to add more talented rebounders in the coming months.
NBA free agency will offer the Lakers plenty of opportunities to add center depth. Unfortunately, one potential target might no longer be a viable option judging by the latest NBA offseason rumors.
Lakers Rumors: Pacers Expected to Re-Sign Myles Turner This Offseason
As his team dukes it out with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is one upcoming free agent linked to the Lakers. Having said that, NBA insider Shams Charania just revealed that the Pacers are determined to retain their long-time fan favorite.
"(Turner) is the longest tenured Pacer currently, and Indiana wants to keep it that way," Charania said before Game 2 on Sunday. "The Pacers know they cannot afford to lose him as a free agent. There's mutual interest in getting a deal done."
Turner, 29, is one of the best centers in the NBA today, possessing a combination of floor-stretching capabilities and elite defense.
A two-time NBA blocking leader, he was a reliable force for the Pacers again this past regular season, averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He also helped stretch the floor with a career-high 2.2 threes made per game on 39.6% shooting, making him the type of offensively gifted center that would look nice alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Turner has also been having a terrific 2024-25 playoff performance, averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and .522/.389/.773 splits. It isn't surprising that a frontcourt-starved team like the Lakers would be jealous if he hits the open market.
With that being said, adding Turner was always going to be a tough task for the Lakers.
He'll likely be looking for a major pay raise after playing on an average annual salary of $20.4 million on his last contract, potentially pricing him out of a cash-strapped L.A. team's budget. A sign-and-trade deal was the more likely option, but even that would involve having to convince the Pacers to take names like Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, or Rui Hachimura off the Lakers' hands.
As great as Turner would've looked in a Lakers jersey, some pipedreams just aren't meant to be. He'll focus on working out a new deal with the Pacers as the Lakers turn the page toward other potential center targets ahead of what'll be a busy offseason.
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