Rumors about the Lakers' core Westbrook being traded are flying all over the place, and almost every supergiant has been the subject of the Lakers' scandal, including Lillard, who was seriously injured. However, the Lakers do not want to trade Westbrook, it is too difficult, from the Lakers' point of view, Westbrook can be exchanged for the rest of the team 2-3 top players, which is the value of the first three doubles in history. But other teams, despite their need for defenders with strong ball-carrying skills, are largely deterred to see Westbrook's sluggish performances and attitude to the game, as well as the unbearable $40 million contract.
James's appearance to defend Westbrook also shows that he wants to suppress negative public opinion and let Westbrook concentrate on playing, after all, it is almost impossible to send away this backcourt brother. Westbrook finally stepped forward, saying he did not regret joining the Lakers and would say that he would make more sacrifices. As a result, Westbrook is still in the lineup, and the Lakers, led by Howard, have a number of interior lines, and it is basically difficult to get performance opportunities because they cannot cooperate well with Westbrook. Strictly speaking, Howard, Jordan Jr., and Bazemore still have a lot of trade value depending on how the Lakers operate.
Still, the Lakers couldn't sit still the moment the Pacers put turner, the inside core, on the trade list, but the Raptors were the biggest competitors because they could send Anunoby as a bargaining chip in exchange for Turner. Anunoby and Turner are similar in style, the data is relatively close, and the Pacers are basically not loss-making, which is one of the reasons why the two sides are relatively close. The Lakers side is also very interested, but the Pacers are certainly not interested in the Lakers' three interior lines.
Moreover, the Pacers prefer to get more first-round picks, and the Lakers are the most disadvantaged in terms of draft picks. However, it is not impossible to make a trip, and it is reported that the Lakers have tried to make a desperate bet, planning to pack James' favorite backcourt partner and Tucker, one of the core of the Lakers, with Nunn and a 2027 first-round pick, which may make the Pacers a little moved. From the perspective of team building, the Lakers should not miss Turner, James was forced to serve as a center in the case of a thick eyebrow injury, and the interior line clearly lacked a defensive support.
Turner is a well-known defensive player on the inside, as evidenced by his average of 2.8 blocks per game this season. At the same time, he can also maintain a good stats of averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds per game, so that the inside line is good, and there is no miss. Since Westbrook is basically determined to stay in the team, the Lakers, although they regret trading Westbrook, are now unable to remain motionless in the trading market, and taking the initiative to add a new interior partner for James is the best choice. If Turner successfully joins the Lakers, he and James will join forces to stage a block storm, both ornamental and effective, such a Lakers team still has some hope.