"Rob Pelinka, I owe you an apology": Lakers fans relieved to not trade for Myles Turner as Pacers center scores 9 points in Games 6 & 7

The LA Lakers fans chimed in on one of the most contributing factors to the Indiana Pacers' 2025 NBA Finals loss to the OKC Thunder in Myles Turner. A trade target for the Lakers over the past three years, Turner was a no-show in Games 6 and 7, scoring a combined nine points in both outings.

The Pacers blew out the Thunder at home in Game 6, so Turner's underwhelming game didn't matter much. However, it was a huge blow in the series finale, especially with Tyrese Haliburton going down with an Achilles injury after the first seven minutes.

Turner scored six points in 23 minutes, adding four rebounds. He shot 2 of 4 and 1 of 3 from deep. With him being a non-factor, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle didn't play him in the fourth quarter. The Pacers ultimately lost 103-91 despite being in the game for majority of the first three quarters.

A better effort from Myles Turner, in particular, could have put more pressure on the Thunder, but that wasn't the case. Lakers fans sought the opportunity to express their thoughts on Turner's poor run with the following reactions:

LakeShowYo

@LakeShowYo

LINK

Rob Pelinka, I owe you an apology.

Thank you for not trading for Myles Turner 😭

SLY

@DunVsEverybodyy

LINK

After seeing these stats i owe Jaxson Hayes a apology

d*vid

@dxvid

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Pelinka knows all

Jay

@JayHardy252

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Myles ain’t it for sure

trell

@Montrell1223

LINK

Mf is not getting that max anymore

Myles Turner likely to return to Pacers as Lakers' center search continues

The Lakers and Myles Turner will be put to bed for good after this offseason. Amid back-to-back deep playoff runs with Turner as their starting center, the Pacers are expected to re-sign Turner. They are open to paying the luxury tax for the first time, with Turner likely to command a lucrative deal.

It will mostly be a long-term deal, ending speculation around Turner's future. The Lakers will have to pivot to other options to fill their void. Some of their most realistic and prominent targets are Nicolas Claxton, Daniel Gafford, Clint Capela and Brook Lopez.

Claxton and Gafford will likely be long-term solutions, while Capela or Brooks are potentially stopgap additions until the market improves for big men. The Lakers are also keeping tabs on younger centers like Walker Kessler, but their lack of assets makes it difficult for them to acquire a target of the Jazz big man's quality.