“The obvious candidate is Myles Turner, who the Lakers have been tied to for years. They could acquire the Pacers’ center by combining the salaries of Malik Beasley ($16.5 million) and Mo Bamba ($10.3 million), along with either their 2023 first-round pick (No. 17), a future first or multiple second-round picks. (More on the specifics of trading Beasley and Bamba below.) Turner checks a lot of the boxes the Lakers need. He’s one of the few 3-and-D centers in the league, which would allow Los Angeles to remain big defensively, with Turner and Anthony Davis patrolling the paint, while also maintaining their spacing offensively (Turner shot 37.3 percent on four 3-point attempts per game last season). There are some within the Lakers that remain skeptical of the way a Turner-Davis frontcourt fits in the playoffs. I understand their skepticism, but I think Turner and Davis are skilled and versatile enough to make the partnership work. Turner took a leap last season and looks to be a legitimate “16-game player.”
Beyond Turner, there aren’t many, if any, difference-making centers available within the confines of what the Lakers could realistically offer (Beasley, Bamba and a first-round pick or multiple seconds). Now, let’s look at free agency. Some realistic names Los Angeles could sign with its non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.2 million) or taxpayer mid-level exception ($5 million):
• Naz Reid
• Dwight Powell
• Xavier Tillman
• Jock Landale
• Andre Drummond
• Bismack Biyombo
suhar97
Really good article, thanks for posting here OP
nottherealstanlee
Rather have Bamba/17 than Turner although I might be in the minority. Everyone keeps saying him starting with Davis is ideal, but I dont see it. Davis’ footspeed is not modern 4 level and neither is Turner. And frankly who knows if LeBron has 3 foot speed when he gets back so now yeah we’re huge and can defend the paint, but we’re slow as hell.
Case in point- JOKIC frequently ran with or even past AD on the break. This is no shot at AD, he’s just a Center now imo.
I’d love a floor spacing big for specific matchups and shifts where we can run a smaller, athletic wing group with AD/Turner, but at 17 we can get another future building block here.
Another thing to consider: Pacers have 3 1sts already. It’s unlikely they even want the 17th pick. We’d likely have to trade our 2029 pick with really light protections for what will inevitably be a backup Center. I don’t like it.
Edit- also makes it seem like we’re not going to retain Dennis. In that case I hope we go after a Divencenzo or something. Vando/Christie become our POA guys and we’ll be better off replacing him with shooting then.
Edit 2- lots of downvotes lol I genuinely don’t know how this sub can watch AD now and think he’s a modern 4 while complaining constantly about his lack of shooting. You know what a 6’11” defender is who can’t shoot? A traditional 5! Lol
WildWing_93
People acting like Fred vanvleet is a difference maker. Brother shoots under 40% from the field. FROM THE FIELD. He is a brick machine. How is this guy, who’s 3 years older, an improvement on Russell? This is change for the sake of change.
LebronsPinkyToe
For the last time they are not trading Myles Turner
zhard01
I don’t hate the Turner idea, especially if it was for seconds.
If so, I think bringing Brown and Lonnie back to bolster the wings is important.
PG: DLo/Shroeder. SG: Reaves/Lonnie/Brown/Christie. SF: Lebron/Vando/Stanley. PF: AD/Rui/Gabriel C: Turner/Jay Huff (wiz probably keep him on though)/ TT.
I’m cool with that.
eddyocho
Son is going to USC 10 min away from the crypto why would he leave? 😂
Makaveli84
0%, he will return, he won’t retire, he’s just ledramatic as usual. Nothing to worry.
8 Comments
What big man could the Lakers target this summer?
“The obvious candidate is Myles Turner, who the Lakers have been tied to for years. They could acquire the Pacers’ center by combining the salaries of Malik Beasley ($16.5 million) and Mo Bamba ($10.3 million), along with either their 2023 first-round pick (No. 17), a future first or multiple second-round picks. (More on the specifics of trading Beasley and Bamba below.)
Turner checks a lot of the boxes the Lakers need.
He’s one of the few 3-and-D centers in the league, which would allow Los Angeles to remain big defensively, with Turner and Anthony Davis patrolling the paint, while also maintaining their spacing offensively (Turner shot 37.3 percent on four
3-point attempts per game last season). There are some within the Lakers that remain skeptical of the way a Turner-Davis frontcourt fits in the playoffs. I understand their skepticism, but I think Turner and Davis are skilled and versatile enough to make the partnership work. Turner took a leap last season and looks to be a legitimate “16-game player.”
Beyond Turner, there aren’t many, if any, difference-making centers available within the confines of what the Lakers could realistically offer (Beasley, Bamba and a first-round pick or multiple seconds).
Now, let’s look at free agency. Some realistic names Los Angeles could sign with its non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.2 million) or taxpayer mid-level exception ($5 million):
• Naz Reid
• Dwight Powell
• Xavier Tillman
• Jock Landale
• Andre Drummond
• Bismack Biyombo
Really good article, thanks for posting here OP
Rather have Bamba/17 than Turner although I might be in the minority. Everyone keeps saying him starting with Davis is ideal, but I dont see it. Davis’ footspeed is not modern 4 level and neither is Turner. And frankly who knows if LeBron has 3 foot speed when he gets back so now yeah we’re huge and can defend the paint, but we’re slow as hell.
Case in point- JOKIC frequently ran with or even past AD on the break. This is no shot at AD, he’s just a Center now imo.
I’d love a floor spacing big for specific matchups and shifts where we can run a smaller, athletic wing group with AD/Turner, but at 17 we can get another future building block here.
Another thing to consider: Pacers have 3 1sts already. It’s unlikely they even want the 17th pick. We’d likely have to trade our 2029 pick with really light protections for what will inevitably be a backup Center. I don’t like it.
Edit- also makes it seem like we’re not going to retain Dennis. In that case I hope we go after a Divencenzo or something. Vando/Christie become our POA guys and we’ll be better off replacing him with shooting then.
Edit 2- lots of downvotes lol I genuinely don’t know how this sub can watch AD now and think he’s a modern 4 while complaining constantly about his lack of shooting. You know what a 6’11” defender is who can’t shoot? A traditional 5! Lol
People acting like Fred vanvleet is a difference maker. Brother shoots under 40% from the field. FROM THE FIELD. He is a brick machine. How is this guy, who’s 3 years older, an improvement on Russell? This is change for the sake of change.
For the last time they are not trading Myles Turner
I don’t hate the Turner idea, especially if it was for seconds.
If so, I think bringing Brown and Lonnie back to bolster the wings is important.
PG: DLo/Shroeder.
SG: Reaves/Lonnie/Brown/Christie.
SF: Lebron/Vando/Stanley.
PF: AD/Rui/Gabriel
C: Turner/Jay Huff (wiz probably keep him on though)/ TT.
I’m cool with that.
Son is going to USC 10 min away from the crypto why would he leave? 😂
0%, he will return, he won’t retire, he’s just ledramatic as usual. Nothing to worry.