Lakers Eye $40 Million Lob Threat, Rim Protector to Pair With Doncic

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent effort to acquire an elite lob threat and rim protector to pair with Luka Doncic fell short, but the team is determined to prioritize this move during the summer of 2025.

On Saturday, February 8, L.A. canceled a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams after he failed a physical exam.

“Teams typically avoid canceling trades, especially significant ones like the Lakers-Hornets deal for Mark Williams-Dalton Knecht,” reported Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “However, L.A. gave up a lot for Williams, and they needed to be certain he could be their starting center for the next 5-10 years. After a ‘thorough’ evaluation of his health, they were not confident.”

On Sunday, Evan Sidery of Forbes linked the Lakers to two big men they could target starting June 30, when the NBA’s free agency period reopens and trades become possible.

“Two names continue to surface in league discussions as potential Lakers center trade targets this summer: Myles Turner and Nic Claxton,” Sidery wrote. “Turner could be acquired through a sign-and-trade if the Lakers offer a strong deal to the [Indiana] Pacers. The [Brooklyn] Nets have been open to moving Claxton for some time.”

Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

Like Claxton this season, Turner has frequently been involved in trade rumors, dating back to his time alongside Domantas Sabonis.

However, as Indiana’s primary big man now, Turner made it through another trade deadline last week, partly due to the Pacers’ strong recent performance, which has seen them rise to a 29-22 record and secure the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference as the All-Star break nears.

While circumstances helped the Pacers last postseason—particularly a wave of injuries to the New York Knicks—they still made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Boston Celtics.

Myles Turner: A Strong Fit for the Lakers Alongside Luka Doncic Offensively and Defensively

Myles Turner could be a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Another deep playoff run might keep Turner in Indiana for years to come.

But Turner, soon to turn 29, is entering the final season of a two-year contract worth $40.9 million and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. A sign-and-trade could allow the Pacers to get compensation for Turner rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Turner would not only provide an effective lob threat for Doncic—something he sought during his time with the Dallas Mavericks and mentioned as important when he joined the Lakers—but also offers long-term value to the Lakers, who must surround Doncic with the right pieces to keep him in L.A. long-term, especially with the five-time First-Team All-NBA player’s free agency looming in a year and a half.

In addition to his offensive skills around the rim and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, Turner has long been recognized as one of the top defensive rim protectors in the NBA. He has led the league in blocks twice (2018-19 and 2020-21) and has averaged 2.2 blocks per game throughout his 10-year NBA career.

Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. He has also worked as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible.