Elite Stretch Big! Could Anthony Davis and Myles Turner Be the Perfect Frontcourt Duo?

Anthony Davis has made his stance clear—he wants a true center next to him. The Lakers' star big man recently appeared on Shams Charania’s show and didn’t hold back, stating that he plays at his best when deployed as a power forward with a reliable big man beside him. Davis even pointed to the Lakers’ 2020 championship run in the Orlando bubble, where he thrived playing the four alongside Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. His comments, which almost sounded like a public plea, have caught the attention of the Lakers’ front office, with reports indicating that they are actively searching for a center before the trade deadline.

With Davis emphasizing the need for frontcourt support, one name has emerged as a prime target—Myles Turner.

Why Myles Turner?

Lakers insider Jovan Buha has strongly advocated for Turner as the ideal fit alongside Davis. In a recent social media post, Buha stated, "If Myles Turner becomes available, the Lakers must pursue him. He complements AD on both ends of the floor better than anyone else on the market, including Walker Kessler."

Turner’s potential availability stems from his upcoming free agency. He is reportedly seeking a contract worth over $30 million annually, but the Indiana Pacers are unsure if they want to commit to that number. This uncertainty has led to speculation that Indiana could explore trade options rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.

A Davis-Turner pairing would certainly be intriguing. Turner is not only an elite shot-blocker but also one of the best floor-spacing bigs in the league. He brings a unique skill set that could address multiple concerns for the Lakers.

How Turner Complements Davis

To understand why Turner is such a great fit, it’s essential to recognize how Davis’ game has evolved. The 2020 bubble version of AD was a complete offensive force—dominant in the paint while also knocking down mid-range jumpers and three-pointers with confidence. That Davis was capable of hitting clutch shots, including his famous buzzer-beating three against the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

Fast forward to today, and while Davis remains an elite interior scorer, his perimeter shooting has regressed. Since the championship run, his jump shot has all but disappeared. This season, he’s shooting 38.5% from mid-range and 31.5% from three—numbers that, while an improvement from recent years, still fall well short of his 2020 efficiency.

Because of this, any big man playing alongside Davis must be able to stretch the floor to prevent spacing issues. This is where Turner shines.

Elite Three-Point Shooting

Turner has consistently improved as a three-point shooter over the years, and this season, he’s taking a career-high 5.2 attempts per game, hitting 39.3% of them. That kind of shooting from a center is invaluable, as it forces opposing bigs to defend outside the paint, opening up driving lanes for Davis and LeBron James.

Turner’s shooting touch isn’t just a regular-season fluke either. During last year’s playoffs, he shot 45.3% from deep while averaging 2.3 makes per game across 17 postseason contests. The ability to maintain his efficiency on the biggest stage is a huge plus for any team looking to make a deep playoff run.

Defensive Impact

Defensively, Turner remains one of the league’s premier rim protectors. He is currently averaging 2.0 blocks per game, ranking fourth in the NBA. His ability to swat shots and patrol the paint would allow Davis to roam more freely, maximizing his defensive versatility.

However, Turner does have weaknesses. His rebounding numbers aren’t great—he’s averaging just 6.8 boards per game, the lowest in the past four seasons. Additionally, he struggles against physically dominant centers, meaning he wouldn’t be a perfect solution for handling bruisers like Nikola Jokić.

Will the Pacers Actually Trade Him?

While Turner would be an ideal addition for the Lakers, there’s one major hurdle—the Pacers may not want to trade him. Indiana’s front office is focused on winning now, and both franchise cornerstones—Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam—are known to be big fans of Turner’s game. Head coach Rick Carlisle also values him highly, making it difficult to envision the Pacers moving him unless negotiations completely break down.

One possible motivation for Indiana to consider a trade would be if they don’t want to risk losing Turner for nothing in free agency. However, there aren’t many cap space teams capable of offering him a massive deal, meaning he may ultimately decide to stay with the Pacers.

This wouldn’t be the first time Turner’s name has been thrown into trade rumors. Every year, reports surface linking him to various teams, and every year, he remains in Indiana. The Lakers, in particular, have been rumored to be interested in Turner for multiple seasons now, but nothing has materialized.

Other Center Options for the Lakers

If Turner isn’t available, the Lakers will have to look elsewhere. Other potential targets include:

• Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz) – A defensive specialist with elite shot-blocking ability, though his offensive game is limited.
• Nikola Vučević (Chicago Bulls) – A skilled post scorer and rebounder, but his defensive shortcomings could be an issue.
• Jonas Valančiūnas (New Orleans Pelicans) – A bruising big with strong rebounding and interior scoring, but not a floor-spacer.
• Jusuf Nurkić (Phoenix Suns) – While he brings size, his fit next to Davis would be questionable, especially considering his mobility issues.

The Lakers are well aware that finding the right center is crucial, but they must be careful. If they make the wrong move—such as adding a non-shooting big like Nurkić—it could end up causing more problems than solutions.

Final Thoughts

The idea of pairing Anthony Davis with Myles Turner is undeniably appealing. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and complement Davis on both ends makes him an ideal fit. However, the biggest question remains: will the Pacers actually trade him? Given their current trajectory and Turner’s established role within the team, it seems unlikely unless contract negotiations go south.

For the Lakers, the search for a true center continues. Whether it’s Turner or someone else, one thing is clear—if they want to maximize Davis’ effectiveness and make a serious playoff push, they need to get this move right.