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Myles Turner and Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers are linked to the LA Lakers for the third straight offseason. The Lakers are trying to improve their roster for next season. Lakers fans are also feeling optimistic this time around about the team's chances of landing the Pacers duo.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers are exploring the trade market ahead of Thursday's NBA draft. The Lakers have the No. 17 pick and are willing to attach it to players like Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba to acquire starter-level players.
Some of the names linked to the Lakers include Turner and Hield, as well as Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale of the Brooklyn Nets. Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors was also mentioned, with Kristaps Portzinigs of the Washington Wizard likely back in the table after his trade to the Boston Celtics fell apart.
With all the players linked to the LA Lakers heading to the NBA draft, fans are feeling pretty good about acquiring Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. One said:
"Damn 3rd time gotta be the charm."
Another went with the dream offseason:
"Lakers pull this off and sign back Reaves, Rui, Dlo and CP3. Jesus."
The fan trusts Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka:
"Don’t let Rob Pelinka start cooking now."
One fan is claiming the championship already:
"If they get them then sign CP3 or in some world kyrie decides to take a paycut, nobody is beating the Lakers."
This fan wants the Lakers to keep the No. 17 pick as if the Pacers are going to do it:
"Trade Beasley and Mo Bamba and 2nd round pick and keep the first rounder!"
However, not everyone is buying the Lakers' chances of getting Hield and Turner from the Pacers:
Can LA Lakers pull off a trade on draft night?
LA Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had the best trade deadline deals this season.
They propelled the Lakers to the best record in the second half of the season, reaching the Western Conference Finals. However, they fell short against the Denver Nuggets and will need to make some decisions this offseason.
The Lakers have the No. 17 pick on Thursday's NBA draft, and it's widely speculated that they will trade it. Myles Turner and Buddy Hield might happen, while Royce O'Neal and Dorian Finney-Smith are more realistic targets.
The Indiana Pacers are looking to contend for at least a play-in tournament spot, while the Nets are likely rebuilding around Mikal Bridges.
Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is a Klutch client, which certainly helps the Lakers. As for Kristaps Porzingis, the Washington Wizards are having a fire sale so anything is possible at this point.
