Sources: Lakers Not Only L.A. Team Mulling Myles Turner Trade

Much has been made of the perceived trade stalemate between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Multiple sources say that the Clippers are interested in targeting Turner.

The Clippers aren't likely to move Reggie Jackson or John Wall because of their excess wing depth. The need to pay Turner after the season wouldn't deter L.A. because team governor Steve Ballmer has shown a willingness to pay luxury taxes.

The Clippers are looking for a replacement for Hartenstein who left as a free agent. If the Pacers commit to a direction for the 2022-23 season, they have a top available big man.

Clippers need a certain amount of space.

Nicolas Batum is being used as the primary reserve when Ivica Zubac is sitting. The team would have a weakness if Zubac was injured or in foul trouble.

L.A. can give the Pacers its own first-round pick in either of the next two decades. The Clippers' other firsts are tied up with remaining obligations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George, but the team has plenty of second-round picks and prospects.

The Clippers need to give at least $14.3 million in outgoing salary to match Turner's $18 million. For a deal to happen quickly, one of the players would have to go to Indiana. They can't be swapped until January 15. The wall is off-limits.

The Pacers are better with Turner.

Turner is a better basketball player for Indiana. Turner may not be reinvested in after the 2022-23 campaign for a franchise that refuses to tank.

Turner has been the subject of trade rumors for a long time. The Pacers are one of the highest- scoring teams in the league with an average of 117.3 points per game.

Turner is one of the few reliable veterans on the team. He can leave as a free agent in July if the team makes the playoffs.

The franchise should get value in return for Turner. It's possible that taking a step back now could lead to better lottery odds for draft prospects like Victor Wembanyama and the Thompson Twins.

Is there a way to use leverage against the Lakers?

The Lakers have entertained the idea of trading for Buddy Hield and Turner. The Pacers insist that a deal must include two first-round picks from L.A. The Lakers haven't made that commitment yet.

The Pacers could be trying to get the Lakers to make a deal for both firsts. There is enough skepticism to move on from the Lakers, according to one source.

The Details

Turner may not sign an extension starting at $21.6 million if he's traded. He could choose to go for free agency.

Turner's full rights and the ability to pay him up to a maximum salary in July would be up for grabs. He might wait to see what the market will do instead of locking in an extension at a lower rate.

Pacers may wait it out.

The deadline to make a decision is in February. The team may need more time to understand the market and its potential.

The L.A. team could look at more than one target. The Clippers could use their trade exception for three players.

Turner could be included in a sign-and-trade deal with the Pacers in July. The Pacers have dangled Turner in trades for several seasons so waiting on the hope it works out in their favor may be riskier.

Turner may be looking forward to moving on, but it may be too early in the year to know how this story will end.

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