This season Lakers fans have had the pleasure of watching some better basketball than what we were subjected to last season. Anthony Davis is playing at an MVP and DPOY level and some of the team’s free-agent acquisitions have proven to be valuable assets with players like Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr. and now Dennis Schroder. There have, however, been some free-agent signings and trades that have not quite panned out the way the front office would’ve hoped.
On the Lakers Talk podcast with Allen Asliwa, insider Jovan Buha mentioned that not only have Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, and Damian Jones all been disappointments thus far but also that the team is looking to package Nunn, Beverley and a first with a possible minimum contract sprinkled in for a player — or multiple players — in the $18-25 million range.
The originally discussed package we heard all throughout the offseason and into the regular season of Russ and two first-round picks just isn’t exactly gaining the traction the organization had thought. With Westbrook’s play as of late, I’m not quite sure getting rid of him would be good for the team.
Instead, Let’s take a look at some trade packages the Lakers could look for in the coming weeks.
1. Lakers make a different trade with the Indiana Pacers
This is it. The money shot. This is the player Lakers fans have been eyeballing for a few seasons now and for good reason. Turner is consistently among the league leaders in blocks per game, shoots tremendously well from 3, and best of all LOVES to play the center position.
It seems that on paper Turner would shore up quite a few of the Lakers’ deficiencies. Although Anthony Davis has been unreal on the defensive end, Turner’s shot-blocking ability would turn Anthony Davis into even more of a monster.
Earlier this season, Davis compared his role now at the five to his role in 2020 where he was able to roam around on the defensive end thanks to Dwight Howard and Javale McGee, rather than being tethered to the paint like he is now. Turner gets him back to roaming.
AD is taking a direct shot at Rob Pelinka & Jeanie buss to get him some reliable big men. He’s never liked playing the 5, and plays better at the 4. pic.twitter.com/gyBh19pSqh
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 9, 2022
Turner being so happily willing to play the five provides not only a new twist on the defense, but maybe even more importantly, would take the physical load of the position off of AD hopefully resulting in better health for the Lakers big man.
Lastly, his three-point efficiency would have a two-pronged benefit. One, he’d massively help a Lakers team that’s struggled with the three-point shot. Two, his shooting would space the floor fantastically for players like LeBron and Westbrook who thrive on driving into the lane. All in all, Turner would fit very well, but could there be a better option?