Throughout the summer, the Pacers and Lakers tried to agree on a trade. In Los Angeles, we were looking to recover Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, to fill two gaps in the team: circle protection and outside shooting. To make the Pacers give in, the Lakers offered Russell Westbrook and a first round draft. Refusal of the Pacers who wanted the first two rounds of the Lakers Draft (2027 and 2029).
In Los Angeles, they are treasured, perhaps for one or two more valuable players, but Myles Turner assures that he can be the man for the job. Here is what he replied to microphone by Adrian Wojnarowski.
“I tell myself that we have to think about the future, and we know that Draft choices have value. I know that I am coming to the end of my contract and they cannot lose me without consideration. They cannot have in mind the idea that I play this year, that they do not trade me, and that I do not extend here at the time of free agency. Let’s be real, it would be bad for the franchise not to make a big trade. So if they trade me and get things in exchange for me coming, they’ll do what’s best for them and do what they’re paid to do. I wouldn’t blame them for that. »
In fact, more than a message for the Lakers, it’s a message for the Pacers, who could lose it without consideration. But Myles Turner is there to sell himself, and he lists his qualities.
“I know what I can bring to a team: my leadership, my counters, my ability to shoot 3-pointers, and simply my ability to go after actions. If I were them, I’d really take a close look… Would I pull the trigger? I get paid to shoot, and I don’t make the decisions. I can’t answer that. »
The desire to play in Los Angeles, in a big market
Free agent at the end of the season, Myles Turner does not seem ready to last forever in Indiana, and that is also why he would like to join the Lakers.
“Just to play in a bigger market. I think in the Midwest, we don’t get the affection we deserve. In the West, you’re under the microscope, and when you’re not good, you hear about it. When you’re very good, you get a lot of affection, especially with the passion around the Lakers. »
Finally, Myles Turner would really like to play with LeBron James, before the latter bows out. “I think another aspect is playing alongside LeBron, for his greatness. I feel like he demands a certain level of excellence, especially at this stage of his career. It’s one of those things, where you know when you’re on the court you have to perform because people expect you to maintain the legacy that the Lakers have built over the years. »
We do not know if the Lakers and the Pacers will resume discussions, but on the other hand, Myles Turner can expect the NBA to tap his fingers for this declaration of love to the Lakers.
| Myles Turner | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | IND | 60 | 23 | 49.8 | 21.4 | 72.7 | 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 10.3 |
| 2016-17 | IND | 81 | 31 | 51.0 | 34.5 | 80.9 | 1.7 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 14.5 |
| 2017-18 | IND | 65 | 28 | 47.9 | 35.7 | 77.7 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 12.7 |
| 2018-19 | IND | 74 | 29 | 48.7 | 38.8 | 73.6 | 1.4 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 13.3 |
| 2019-20 | IND | 62 | 30 | 45.7 | 34.4 | 75.1 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 12.1 |
| 2020-21 | IND | 47 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 78.2 | 1.3 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 12.6 |
| 2021-22 | IND | 42 | 29 | 50.9 | 33.3 | 75.2 | 1.6 | 5.5 | 7.1 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 12.9 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 2 | 28 | 38.1 | 37.5 | 100.0 | 1.5 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 16.0 |
| Total | 433 | 29 | 48.8 | 34.9 | 77.1 | 1.4 | 5.3 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 12.7 | |
