Myles Turner has been connected to the Los Angeles Lakers almost as long as the sky has been blue. There was already enough reason to believe that the dream acquisition would never come to fruition. The latest report from Jake Fischer might have put the nail in the coffin.
The NBA insider wrote that the strong run by the Indiana Pacers 'has left numerous rival teams with the strong impression that free agent-to-be Myles Turner is not going to be gettable.'
Fischer added, "The rising expectation, league sources say, is that Turner will be extending his stay in the Hoosier State. ... Los Angeles' options in free agency would appear to be pretty limited in free agency beyond veterans such as Brook Lopez and Clint Capela."
Closing door on Turner confirms Lakers' positioning in center market
Acquiring someone like Capela or even Steven Adams would be a solid way for the Lakers to secure some much-needed backup center minutes. However, a long-term answer at the starting spot was very unlikely to be found through free agency in the first place.
The Lakers have been linked to a long list of centers on the trade market since their early exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Some of those present very attractive options. Others are disasters waiting to happen.
Ultimately, the news about Turner should not really surpise anyone. There was no way the Pacers were going to allow a key member of their core to leave after another successful season, luxury tax issues or not.
The Lakers' path to revamping the center spot this offseason has always been crystal clear. Some combination of expiring contracts, Dalton Knecht, and draft capital will likely be the dangling pieces used to secure the present and future of the position.
Perhaps that is frightening to some considering the Lakers' limited asset pool to build around Luka Doncic. That much is certainly understandable.
Free agency will need to be an avenue that Los Angeles maximizes over the next few years considering the lack of draft capital at their disposal. However, that market will be better-suited to answering other positional needs, apart from center, in the near future.
The Lakers are not afforded the luxury of time, considering LeBron James is nearing the end of his playing days. Despite that, the allure of being featured in one of the biggest basketball cities in the NBA, beside two of the game's best, will be enough to entice some free-agency discounts.