Appearing on a podcast with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Pacers center Myles Turner said the Lakers should take “a hard look” at a deal that would bring him to L.A. (Twitter link). A trade rumor that simmered for much of the summer had Turner and Buddy Hield headed to the Lakers in exchange for Russell Westbrook and the team’s unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029. The deal reportedly didn’t happen because of the Lakers’ reluctance to part with both draft picks.
“That’s such an intriguing question,” Turner responded when Wojnarowski asked if the Lakers should make the trade. “… We all know picks are so valuable in this league, and someone like myself, I’m heading into the last year of my deal and you want to make sure you’re getting a return for your assets. If I’m the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you’re in. I know what I can provide for a team.”
Wojnarowski recently reported that the Lakers don’t expect to make any trades until at least Thanksgiving, so it doesn’t appear a Turner deal will happen in the immediate future. The Pacers have been managing Turner’s return from an ankle injury, and he has only played in two games so far.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Bulls could benefit by creating more motion for Zach LaVine, suggests Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, who notes that LaVine has just seven possessions in four games as a shooter after an off-ball screen, Coach Billy Donovan admits he reduced those situations for LaVine last season in response to lingering left knee pain, and LaVine believes they will eventually return as the offense evolves. “We have to look for them. I have to try to look for them,” LaVine said. “And then everybody off the ball has to recognize who we’re screening, who we’re pinning down on. That’s going to be the process of us starting this offense.”
- Bojan Bogdanovic‘s two-year extension with the Pistons will pay him $20MM in 2023/24 and $19.03MM in 2024/25, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. Only $2MM is guaranteed for the final year, but it will become fully guaranteed in late June of 2024, Marks adds. As we noted in our story on the deal, Bogdanovic remains trade-eligible since his new deal doesn’t exceed the extend-and-trade restrictions (and couldn’t have done so, since he was just traded last month).
- James L. Edwards of The Athletic examines Jalen Duren‘s journey from a 13-year-old basketball prodigy to a lottery pick in his rookie season with the Pistons.
Duren had a tough injury last night but he’s alr show Ben Wallace type skills. If I’m Detroit I’m hoping that Beef Stew & Saddiq impressed the Ws front office enuf last night to go for a Stewart, Bey, Killian & Kemba for Draymond, Ty Jerome & (a future 2nd or a lotto protected 2026 1st). Detroit would be losing alot of shooting in this deal but would still prob become a better shooting team overall bc of how Draymond could potentially unlock their offense. Kevin Knox would have to step into the rotation & knock down shots. If he does & Draymond plays with a chip on his shoulder this team could be dangerous this yr & the next few seasons… Ws get rid of a franchise legend but it’s about time. They’re def not extending or resigning him. As good as they are it makes sense to just ride the season out & try to repeat but if they can get a trio of youngsters like Bey, Stewart & Hayes, all cheap & all guys that could he’ll them now & in the future. Saddiq would basically be the Draymond replacement. Stewart just dominated the Ws frontline & would add insurance & competition to the big man situation in the Bay. Killian is a very talented guy that should be able to improve exponentially by being around Steph & Kemba. Kemba is on his last leg but he could give GSW a true backup pg with exp.. link to m.youtube.com
You want to talk a deal for Wiggins or Poole and I’ll listen, but I’m not interested in Green. Not remotely.
(Reminder – Kemba is no longer a member of the Pistons)
Look like Poole & Wiggins gonna be in the Bay for the foreseeable future. Draymond is much more what the Pistons need anyway tho. He’d be the best passer, best defender & most vocal guy on the team. He’d be the perfect bodyguard for their young guards & the perfect fan favorite type for Pistons fans. Detroit would have a really sweet mix of vets & youngsters & they’d finally have an on court leader that demands respect for the 1st time since Chauncey left… might have to sub Alec Burks in for Kemba which isn’t ideal at all tho
Turner translation: don’t waste your pick on me; I’m not re-signing in that trash ass situation.
Nothing can help the Lakers. They are done for the rest of the decade.
The Pacers in no way are sending Heild or Turner in a package deal to anyone.
Get over that fantasy.
Bojan looking great right now. He is definitely trade bait at some point when each team’s strengths and weakensses become clearer and injuries take their toll. Basically, you would get him 1.5 years depending on when trade is made.
So Lavine already can’t create his own shot? Only 4 years and 11 months to go on that deal. I hate to say I told you so, But I did.