One of the Lakers’ biggest goals this summer was to add shooting, bring size, and trade Russell Westbrook for a better-fitting player.
While Pelinka did make a few notable additions, he struck out on all the big names, including Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell.
Still, there are a few names on the board that the Lakers could explore.
NBA Insider Reveals The Asking Price For Myles Turner And Buddy Hield
In fact, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Purple and Gold could literally trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner tomorrow if the Lakers would just include both of their unprotected picks.
“The one I’ve said I would sleep over if I were a Buss or Mr. Pelinka is trading both picks to the Pacers for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner,” Lowe said. “My best intel right now is if the Lakers called Indiana right now and said ‘Both picks unprotected,’ the Pacers would do that deal, would probably do that deal.”
While neither Hield nor Turner are stars, they have the expectations type of skill set that the Lakers need more of.
The Lakers seem to be aware of this, as they have been engaged in trade talks with the Pacers for months now.
Of course, because of L.A.’s refusal to give up their picks, nothing materialized, and both sides were stuck at a standstill.
It seems as though the trade talks are over now though, as Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said that Myles Turner will be starting for the Pacers on opening night, and officially ended the potential Lakers trade talks.
“Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said this morning on @1075thefan that Myles Turner will be their starting center on opening night, officially ending the potential Lakers trade talks.”
Say what you want about the Lakers, but it makes sense why they would be reluctant to give up their draft picks. As a team reliant on older, established veterans, the Lakers aren’t a franchise that has a lot of time. In a few years, they might not even be competitive anymore.
Instead of giving away their last remaining assets, and dooming their future selves to failure, why shouldn’t the Lakers just be patient and let things play out as they are?
While getting Buddy Hield and Myles Turner would make them instantly better, the price of such additions seems to be too much for them to accept.
