Your Los Angeles Lakers are obviously not going to do well this season given their present lineup. But the real question is whether or if an agreement exists to change that. Russell Westbrook’s expiring $47.1 million contract and both of Los Angeles’ only two tradeable first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2029 would be sent to the Indiana Pacers in the long-rumored hypothetical trade in exchange for extension-eligible center Myles Turner, who has been playing like a fringe All-Star during the career-best season, and lethal shooting guard Buddy Hield. Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey is confident that such an agreement exists.
Hield shoots the three-pointer at a 42.7% clip on 9.3 tries a game, while Turner shoots it at a 38% clip on 3.8 attempts per game. Turner is a fantastic defender who can stay in the paint and protect the basket or move out to contain rival big men who are also good shooters. Hield is a phenomenal three-point shooter, not just a good one. Stathead claims that he has shot the second-most 3-pointers of any NBA player.
Bailey notes that despite the Pacers’ stated intention to sign Turner to an extension before the February 9 trade deadline, reports of how much they want to make in a deal are inconsistent. If the team is having trouble with defensive spacing and alignment, Bailey thinks that Turner and Hield might be “borderline great additions” to the team. At 23-20, the Pacers’ current roster doesn’t inspire much confidence that they can win it all. But alongside its youthful new guard nucleus, which includes Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin, Indiana may want to cultivate at least Turner. Would L.A. be prepared to part with one of their future picks plus the upcoming free agency of Kendrick Nunn and Patrick Beverley in order to acquire Hield on his own?
