The Los Angeles Lakers are currently engaged in a heated first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Superstars are colliding, with Luka Doncic going toe-to-toe with Anthony Edwards in the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Across the Conference lines, however, is a series that is likely causing the Lakers to be remorseful about past indecisions—and, perhaps, optimistic about free agency.
The Indiana Pacers have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks with a pair of statement wins. Indiana defeated Milwaukee 117-98 in Game 1, and secured a 123-115 victory in Game 2 during which it led wire-to-wire.
One of the key contributors during those games has been big man Myles Turner, who has stepped up on both ends of the floor.
Turner finished Game 1 with 19 points and four blocks, helping to anchor the dominant defense and support the explosive offense. The next time out, he finished with 15 points and two blocks in yet another display of his ability to impact the game on both offense and defense.
With free agency looming and the Pacers stringing together postseason wins, the Lakers' best opportunity to acquire Turner may be in the rearview.
Myles Turner increasing price tag with every postseason game
Los Angeles has a well-documented need to improve the quality of the depth chart at center. One of the players to whom they were linked in trade rumors was Turner, with his expiring contract and defensive quality playing significant roles in that pursuit.
The Lakers ultimately opted to pursue Mark Williams in a since failed trade that has made the absence of a center of Turner's quality even more difficult to stomach.
Jaxson Hayes has done an admirable job of attempting to fill the void, but the Lakers have been forced to play small-ball lineups in most situations. Turner certainly isn't the rebounder who could address that issue, but his other qualities seem to fit what Los Angeles needs.
As such, one can't help but wonder what could've been with Doncic and Turner running pick-and-pop action, and the latter anchoring an already great defense.
The good news for the Lakers is that Turner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. As such, Rob Pelinka could find a way to either sign the two-time blocks leader or orchestrate a sign-and-trade to acquire him at a more flexible cost.
The Pacers are just two wins shy of a trip to the second round, however, and Turner is playing a significant part in their success—a truth that should only increase his market value.
The optimistic take is that Los Angeles could part with minimal assets to acquire Turner in a sign-and-trade deal since Indiana would have limited leverage. The more immediate reality, however, is that the Lakers could've used Turner in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Unfortunately, months of indecision about how to proceed at center has left the Lakers looking to free agency for answers—and Turner will be an expensive option.
