Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner will be a free agent in the 2025 offseason. With the Pacers heading into the second round of the playoffs following their win against the Milwaukee Bucks, Turner will attempt to build upon his performances to receive a huge upgrade in his upcoming contract.
As things stand, Turner remains an incredibly productive player on the floor for Indiana. With the team also making a solid run in the playoffs this season, there is a great likelihood that the big man will remain a part of their plans. However, with several teams needing an athletic big man who can stretch the floor, Turner might benefit from testing the waters during free agency—perhaps signing for a team with title aspirations in the immediate future.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. Although they have a generational talent in LaMelo Ball as the franchise cornerstone, the Hornets are in a state of rebuilding and need talented players to set a solid foundation for the team’s future.
Myles Turner could be a solid acquisition for Charlotte in the offseason. However, the process may require a few steps beforehand. The Hornets had already attempted to trade their big man, Mark Williams, to the Los Angeles Lakers before the trade deadline.
Although that trade fell through, the Hornets can revisit a similar trade to acquire Turner after the Pacers complete a sign-and-trade with him. By sending Williams and two second-round picks to the Pacers, the Hornets can acquire a solid center who can stretch the floor while also being an effective rim protector.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are having a tremendous postseason. However, there is some speculation that they may be one piece short of being a legitimate title contender. In this regard, Turner could be the ideal type of player for the Warriors’ system.
Turner brings rim protection and floor spacing to the table. These are traits that have been immensely valuable for the Warriors, especially in the current context, next to the superstar pairing of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
While being a solid shot-blocking center, Turner would also bring a lot of length to Golden State’s rotation. This would be vital in bolstering Golden State’s rebounding efforts. With a 39.6% average while shooting from three-point territory, Turner presents more offensive flexibility for the Warriors’ halfcourt strategies.
A move to acquire Turner may involve the Pacers presenting the big man with a sign-and-trade deal. Considering that the Warriors are also likely to part ways with their forward Jonathan Kuminga, the swap deal may prove to be beneficial for both teams.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings will see themselves heading into the upcoming offseason in a state of flux. After falling out of the postseason picture, the Kings have made massive personnel changes to get the franchise back on track.
Sacramento currently has some solid players on their roster with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in the backcourt. However, their frontcourt certainly needs a boost as the pairing of Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas hasn’t brought in favorable results.
In this regard, Myles Turner could prove to be a solid acquisition for the Kings. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor would make him a nightmare matchup for the opposing teams when paired next to a versatile passing big man like Sabonis.
A swap deal between Indiana and Sacramento involving Valanciunas and Turner would put the Kings in a position to compete in a highly competitive Western Conference again. However, this would still be only one step in their rebuilding process, as the team certainly needs to pursue a playmaker to round out their roster.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic only recently saw their 2024-25 season come to an end after a loss to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Although the young team features some immensely talented players, it is evident that there are some large issues in terms of roster construction.
The star pairing of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner has proven to be a successful combination for the Magic. However, the center position is currently occupied by Wendell Carter Jr., and he hasn’t been the most productive player for the team in the past few seasons.
Considering that the roster is constructed to facilitate offensive flexibility, Myles Turner would prove to be an ideal fit next to the Magic’s duo of Banchero and Wagner. Turner also operates as a solid defensive player in the absence of Magic center Jonathan Isaac.
The Magic are primed to compete in the playoffs right now, but it is evident that they are a few pieces off from being a consistent postseason team. Acquiring Turner would give Orlando a reliable and durable center who consistently contributes to the winning effort while also being a veteran presence in the locker room.
Facilitating a sign-and-trade for Turner may prove to be a troublesome affair for Orlando, considering their current cap issues. By clearing up some space, the Magic may be able to make a move for the center in free agency itself.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are known to make some big roster and personnel changes in the offseason. Although they managed to acquire a bona fide superstar in Luka Doncic to build for the future, they also traded a franchise cornerstone in Anthony Davis.
Doncic’s arrival has been largely successful for the Lakers. However, it has been made blatantly clear that the team needs a big man to transform into a title contender. In this regard, Myles Turner may be one of the best centers out there for the job.
Turner was linked to the Lakers in the past as well. The Lakers were hoping to place Turner next to Davis to form a solid frontcourt duo. Unfortunately, the deal never went through.
In the current scenario, the Purple and Gold could benefit from having someone like Turner on their side. The 29-year-old fits the Lakers’ timeline for the future with Doncic leading the side. He also provides solid rim protection, which the team is in dire need of.
It has been abundantly clear that Doncic can elevate the quality of play of any mobile center. Turner being paired with the Slovenian could be the key to maximizing the center’s full potential on the offensive end as well.
A swap deal between the Lakers and the Pacers for Turner may involve players such as Jarred Vanderbilt or Maxi Kleber to make the figures match. However, the Lakers would be best served by trying to acquire the Pacers’ center in free agency itself.
