{"id":202585,"date":"2026-06-27T11:01:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=202585"},"modified":"2026-06-27T11:01:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T15:01:07","slug":"lakers-trade-target-turner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/27\/lakers-trade-target-turner\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Longtime Lakers Trade Target Now ‘Readily Available’"},"content":{"rendered":"

After acquiring <\/span>backcourt depth<\/span><\/a> in the 2026 NBA Draft\u2014and adding some promising <\/span>undrafted prospects<\/span><\/a>\u2014the Los Angeles Lakers now focus on adding established talent around <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>. One of the Lakers\u2019 longtime trade targets is reportedly back on the block following the Eastern Conference shakeup surrounding <\/span>Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Report: Longtime Lakers Trade Target Now ‘Readily Available’<\/h2>\n

Though the Lakers did not end up being a third team in the Giannis sweepstakes (despite <\/span>speculation<\/span><\/a> to the contrary), that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019d be able to benefit after the fact. According to <\/span>ClutchPoints\u2019 Brett Siegel<\/span><\/a>, the Milwaukee Bucks are fielding offers for veteran center <\/span>Myles Turner<\/span><\/a>, part of the ongoing fire sale in the 414.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Turner is another player the <\/span>Lakers have pursued in past trade talks<\/span><\/a>, back when he was with the Indiana Pacers. The 30-year-old stretch big man signed a four-year, $108 million contract with the Bucks last offseason and ended up having his worst statistical year in quite some time, averaging just 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38.3 percent from 3-point range.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Giannis walking out the door, the Bucks are going through a complete roster overhaul and want to cut all of their long-term commitments, making Turner readily available for any team that would want to take on his contract. To this point, there haven’t been any strong indications that the Lakers want to do so, yet Turner still remains an option if they want to take on his deal to move off of Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Should the Lakers Pursue Turner Again?<\/h3>\n

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Despite the statistical down year, Turner remains a decent option for the purple and gold\u2014that is, if they are unable to pry <\/span>Jalen Duren<\/span><\/a> from Detroit or <\/span>Walker Kessler<\/span><\/a> from Utah, two high-profile restricted free agents linked to the franchise for weeks. What Turner lacks as a lob threat, he makes up for in perimeter spacing and rim protection\u2014not to mention his seven years of postseason experience, including pivotal contributions to the Pacers\u2019 Finals run.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earning $26.5 million this coming season, his contract may be easier to stomach as opposed to overpaying Duren or Kessler\u2014who fit Doncic\u2019s vision for a center but would still command max contracts in free agency.<\/span><\/p>\n

While far from the perfect option and entering his 12th season in the league, exploring the idea of adding Turner may simply come out of necessity. Two other Lakers\u2019 trade targets, <\/span>Jarrett Allen<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Daniel Gafford<\/span><\/a>, may no longer be attainable this summer. And while the team has recently emerged as a <\/span>\u201clikely suitor\u201d<\/span><\/a> for Knicks backup <\/span>Mitchell Robinson<\/span><\/a>, his injury history and poor free-throw shooting (40.8%) may prevent him from being a quality starter in LA.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mitchell Robinson would be an absolute home run for the Lakers.<\/p>\n

As a backup. Hope we bear that in mind.<\/p>\n

A center with durability issues (for those who cite Kessler, his ceiling is exponentially higher) and can be schemed out the game with his free throw shooting is not the\u2026<\/p>\n

— Richard Staple, BSN, RN\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf2 (@RichStapless) June 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n