DODGED A BULLET: Lakers Fans Rejoice After Myles Turner Disappears in Finals — Just 9 Points Combined in Games 6 & 7 Has L.A. Thankful They Never Pulled the Trade Trigger
There are few things more satisfying in sports than the vindication of a non-move—when fans and front offices are proven right for standing pat rather than giving into trade deadline temptation. That’s the sentiment rippling through Los Angeles today as Lakers faithful breathe a collective sigh of relief, thankful they never finalized a trade for Myles Turner. Once viewed as the potential missing piece to complement Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, the Indiana Pacers center became a hot trade topic for multiple seasons. But after his collapse on the biggest stage—managing just nine total points across Games 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals—Turner has officially become the poster child for “the one we’re glad we didn’t get.”
For years, Lakers fans heard Turner’s name surface in rumors, sometimes alongside Buddy Hield, in packages centered around draft picks or Russell Westbrook. Many debated what his shot-blocking, rim protection, and floor-spacing could bring to a title-contending squad built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Some called it a no-brainer. Others worried about Turner’s inconsistencies in big moments, his durability, and whether his numbers would truly translate when it mattered most. This postseason, and more specifically the NBA Finals, may have finally settled that debate for good.
When the lights were brightest and the stakes highest, Turner faded into the background. In Game 6, with his team desperate to force a Game 7, Turner mustered only four points in 28 minutes of play. He was outworked on the glass, outpaced in transition, and often found himself a step slow on defensive rotations. By Game 7, with everything on the line, he produced an even quieter five points, once again looking overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. His body language showed hesitation, and the aggressiveness that defined parts of his regular season was nowhere to be found. On a night where legacies were written and heroes were made, Turner was a ghost.
For Lakers fans, this was more than just watching a former trade target underperform—it was a moment of exoneration. Many have spent years debating Turner’s upside. Could he be a true difference-maker next to Davis? Would his three-point shooting open up the floor for LeBron’s drives? Could he stay healthy and motivated over the course of a grueling playoff run? These are the types of hypotheticals that have haunted Lakers forums, barbershops, and sports talk shows. Now, there’s a sense of clarity. Not only did Turner fail to deliver in the Finals, but he did so in a way that suggested he may not be built for the brightest stage, at least not yet.
And that stage matters. In Los Angeles, the bar is different. Championships aren’t hoped for—they’re demanded. Legends aren’t made through regular-season highlights, but through postseason dominance. It’s what separates role players from icons in the purple and gold. The Lakers are not a franchise interested in players who merely “look good on paper” or have “upside potential.” They need closers. They need players who elevate when it matters most. And when Game 6 and Game 7 of the NBA Finals came around, Turner did the opposite.
The irony isn’t lost on anyone in L.A. In recent months, discussions around Turner resurfaced again as the Lakers evaluated ways to bolster their interior presence and reduce the nightly physical toll on Anthony Davis. Turner’s name was floated by analysts, fans, and even some insiders as someone who could bring both shot-blocking and spacing, allowing Davis to shift to his preferred power forward spot. But despite years of trade rumors, the Lakers never pulled the trigger. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it seems less like a missed opportunity and more like a calculated dodge.
The truth is, Turner had every opportunity this postseason to shift his narrative. He was part of a Pacers team that made a remarkable run, battling through the East and finding ways to overcome adversity with key contributions from Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and others. But when Turner was called upon to deliver in the Finals, he shrank. There was no signature moment. No momentum-shifting block, no pick-and-pop dagger three, no critical rebound. Just silence. And in the NBA, silence in June speaks volumes.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are in a pivotal offseason of their own, looking to retool and compete again before the sun sets on LeBron’s legendary career. Seeing a player like Turner falter only reinforces the need to be selective, precise, and ruthless in roster construction. The front office, led by Rob Pelinka, now appears wiser for exercising caution. The fans—many of whom clamored for the Turner trade in seasons past—have shifted their tone. Instead of lamenting what could have been, they’re celebrating what wasn’t.
It’s not that Turner is a bad player. He’s far from it. His regular-season averages, defensive presence, and flashes of elite two-way ability make him an intriguing asset for most teams. But the Lakers aren’t most teams. In L.A., the standard is championship or bust. And in that context, Turner’s Finals performance simply doesn’t cut it. The playoffs often reveal who’s ready for prime time and who isn’t. They test mental toughness, physical endurance, and the ability to thrive under pressure. This year’s Finals were Turner’s test, and the results were conclusive.
Even beyond the stat line, the optics tell the story. Turner looked hesitant when catching the ball on the perimeter. He passed up open shots, got bullied inside by smaller defenders, and often looked like he was playing not to lose instead of playing to win. That lack of killer instinct is damning for a player expected to anchor a defense and stretch the floor offensively. If you’re going to be the third-best player on a championship team, you can’t vanish when the lights shine the brightest.
The Lakers have certainly made their share of regrettable moves over the years—trades that didn’t pan out, signings that backfired, gambles that flamed out. But in the case of Myles Turner, doing nothing turned out to be the smartest decision. Sometimes, the best trade is the one you never make. Lakers fans are well aware of that now. And while Indiana may still see Turner as a foundational piece, his reputation took a serious hit this postseason. The belief that he’s a reliable playoff performer—capable of contributing in high-stakes moments—has been fractured.
As for what’s next, Turner will need to regroup. The mental side of the game will be just as important for him as any offseason training. He’ll need to respond with conviction next season, proving that this Finals showing was the exception, not the norm. But that’s his burden now—not the Lakers’.
For L.A., the future remains uncertain but promising. With LeBron still capable of elite play, Davis anchoring the defense, and young pieces developing, the Lakers can afford to be strategic. Turner’s Finals disappearance just added more clarity to their blueprint. Instead of chasing a name or a skill set, they’ll look for players who rise when the pressure mounts—who lean into the moment rather than shy away from it.
The NBA is a league of moments. Championships are built not on stats but on timely greatness. The difference between a good player and a championship-caliber player is often revealed in those final games of the season. For Myles Turner, those moments didn’t define him—they exposed him. And for the Lakers, that’s all the proof they ever needed.
In a league where perception can swing wildly based on a single playoff series, the timing of Turner’s collapse is especially damaging. Teams that may have been intrigued by his skill set might now second-guess their interest. And the Lakers, once widely criticized for not acquiring him, are suddenly sitting in the driver’s seat of public opinion. It’s poetic in a way—the same fans who once begged for Turner are now thankful for the front office’s restraint.
The NBA offseason is full of rumors, hypotheticals, and endless debates. But every once in a while, reality delivers a clear answer. This year’s Finals did exactly that. Myles Turner had the chance to prove he was worth the years of speculation and trade chatter. Instead, he proved the Lakers were right to let that door remain closed.
Sometimes, standing still is the boldest move of all. And for Lakers fans today, that’s a win.
