?This Is Downside Of…never Pulling the Trigger?: NBA Fans Erupt at $1.8 Billion Team for Major News of Lakers Long Term Trade Interest, Myles Turner

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Los Angeles Lakers have been in the thicket of trade rumors. In the hopes to recalibrate an efficient team, the franchise has been speculated to be in discussions with different players. They only have 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to offer, and hence would only set things in concrete, if they can push their contender status. One of the options that the Lakers have been circling is Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner. He has been a trade target for a long time. But it seems like Turner has decided what to do.

Turner has been reported to have rebuffed the Pacers’ contract extension offers. What does this mean for the Lakers and for the Pacers? The NBA world erupted at the $1.8 billion team for being a predominant reason for his alleged exit. A fan tweeted, “This is the downside to publicly placing a guy in trade talks for years and never pulling the trigger lol“.

What domino effect did Myles Turner set off?

The NBA world continued in their chatter to discuss Turner’s motives to potentially leave the Indiana Pacers. Others noted that he was just “tired of being stuck in Indiana“.

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In December last year, he had spoken to Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Turner was explicit in stating that it was time for a new chapter. He said, “It’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity“. He added that he held himself in a “higher regard” while he was always seen as a “rotational role player“.

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The Pacers center has been playing really well this season. He has been averaging 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. Turner would hope to cash in on this with either a contract extension or free agency in the offseason. But as recent reports suggest, he has apparently turned down the former option. NBA Insider Marc Stein broke the news.

What would the Pacers and the Lakers do?

If such a departure is imminent, then there is a good chance that the Pacers would look to trade him. And if the Lakers still have a vested interest in the player, they could also revisit that option.

Reports claimed that the Lakers could not “surrender two first-round picks in a deal for Turner and Buddy Hield“. Despite Myles Turner being vocal about what he can do for the team, nothing came to fruition. He had said, “If I am in the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position you are in“.

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The Pacers are currently in the 7th seed of the Eastern Conference with 22-18. Many have attributed the NBA position to Turner’s presence on the court. The Lakers, on the other hand, are the 12th seed of the Western Conference with 18-21.