It looks like the Los Angeles Lakers will lose another opportunity at trading a player. There have been several speculations and rumors regarding players who could join LeBron James and the Lakers, as the franchise looks to dust up its lineup. And it appears that one of the most feasible players on the trade market may not be available anymore.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Indiana Pacers?and center Myles Turner have opened contract extension discussions. The Lakers potentially losing out on the 6’10” player has left NBA fans in splits. A fan wrote, “One of the most overrated players in the league“.
Turner may turn away from the Lakers
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It was just three months back when Myles Turner admitted that he wanted to play for the Lakers. In an interview with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Turner said, “If I’m in the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you are in. I know what I can provide for a team“.
Should the Lakers give up the two picks? Full audio of Pacers center Myles Turner on The Woj Pod: https://t.co/yP00bwvnMZ pic.twitter.com/GZvSg9BLyp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2022
However, things have taken a U-turn and NBA fans are reacting to this possibility. Some slammed the Lakers for not acting on it while others debated if Myles Turner was worthy of a hefty contract.
It was reported that the Pacers were discussing a “renegotiation-and-extension framework“. This implies that his team would be willing to “offer their player $19.1 million more this year on top of $18 million salary“.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
One of the most overrated players in the league
— Chip (@CalculatedChip) December 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/gotokyo/status/1606361743441113088?s=20&t=7887cU6LiUCamHQQl8wrmA
Whoa!!!l Relax Pacers…he only deserves a small increase or he can leave…and we can get a more athletic center that can rebound better and catch oops! A Duren type like in Detroit!!! Myles is only worth $20 million in my opinion…and I rather we let him go to free up more money
— Pacer Cop (@pacer_cop) December 23, 2022
I like Myles Turner but they need to put some clauses in his contract about games played.
Dude is always hurt.
— The Cooler (@The__Cooler) December 23, 2022
Lakers fans in shambles
— WAGER 🏴☠️ (@playmoredior) December 23, 2022
— Jaime (@Jaime_Godino) December 23, 2022
Myles Turner is hitting on all cylinders when it comes to career highs this season. He has been averaging 16.7 points with 7.8 rebounds so far. Notably, Turner has been playing for the Pacers for eight seasons now.
Is it too late for LeBron James?
The Lakers have been involved in multiple trade discussions throughout the past few months. They have been trying to maximize LeBron James‘ prime years by providing him with the best lineup possible.
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According to CBS Sports, trading for first-round picks later down the track may be useless to LeBron James. They also noted that the Lakers have “no means of upping their offer in a potential bidding war“. Since Myles Turner has been playing well consistently, other franchises could be circling.
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Coupled with the latest news of Anthony Davis being indefinitely out from the team owing to another injury, it seems the Lakers may have possibly lost their chance of making it into the playoffs this season.
Do you think Myles Turner could be the answer to the Lakers’ problems? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.