After much conjecture and small roster adjustments during the summer, the Los Angeles Lakers could pull off a big move. In this hypothetical scenario, Los Angeles acquires two crucial players from the Indiana Pacers, taking care of some of their most pressing needs and laying the groundwork for a credible championship run. The arrival of these Pacers players might be the deciding factor in transforming the Lakers into a formidable team, especially with LeBron James and Anthony Davis still leading the way. Let’s examine how this trade affects the team’s dynamics and what it implies for their hopes of winning the championship in 2024–25.
In this fictitious deal, the Lakers acquire Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin from the Pacers to strengthen their squad. Turner’s superb shot-blocking and floor-spacing skills would immediately strengthen the Lakers’ defense, and Mathurin is a young, explosive scorer who can develop with the team’s more experienced players. Conversely, the Indiana Pacers acquire a strong package that includes players who match their rebuilding plan in Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Jaxson Hayes. When the Lakers fully commit to winning a championship, Indiana receives tremendous assets for the future in addition of a 2031 first-round pick.
The Lakers would grow into a formidable team.
Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin joining the Lakers would instantly make the team a serious contender for the championship. Turner is practically a perfect fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Turner, a center with the ability to shoot to extend the floor, would free up more room for Davis to operate in the post and for LeBron to drive. Led by his 1.9 blocks per game from the previous season, his defensive presence would help strengthen the Lakers interior and free up Davis to play more freely without having to guard the rim all by himself. In 77 games during the previous season, Turner averaged 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds, demonstrating his ability to both anchor the defense and contribute offensively.
Additionally, Turner’s contract is about to expire, which may initially cause some to question if he would be a long-term fit for the Lakers. But if the collaboration works well, the Lakers might try to re-sign him in the summer to lock up a vital member of their core for the upcoming few seasons. Turner’s season-long contributions may be sufficient to carry the Lakers deep into the postseason, even if he chooses to pursue free agency. For this reason, it may be worth taking the chance. With this deal, the Lakers are demonstrating their commitment to winning now, taking advantage of LeBron’s final prime years and Anthony Davis’s career high.
Conversely, Bennedict Mathurin offers a fresh lease on life and scoring ability that might fit right into the Lakers’ system. Despite playing in just 59 games due to injury setbacks the previous season, Mathurin still put up respectable stats: 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His relentless driving to the hoop and ability to score from beyond the arc would give the Lakers’ offense a another dimension that would make them even more unpredictable and challenging to stop.
For the Lakers, Mathurin’s youth and potential are especially enticing. When it comes to unrealized potential, Mathurin is different from Turner, who is more of a known quantity. He might become a star in his own right, guided by veterans like LeBron. With his mobility on the wing, the Lakers could try different lines depending on the opponent. His scoring prowess would be the ideal compliment to D’Angelo Russell and LeBron’s playmaking.
Following this deal, D’Angelo Russell at point guard, Bennedict Mathurin at shooting guard, LeBron James at small forward, Anthony Davis at power forward, and Myles Turner at center might be the starting lineup for the Lakers. This squad combines offensive firepower, defensive grit, and veteran leadership. With Mathurin’s scoring punch and Turner’s ability to span the floor and guard the rim, the Lakers have a balanced offense that is hard for any opponent to match.
Players that can contribute both shooting and defense, like as Gabe Vincent and Max Christie, are still valuable contributors for the Lakers off the bench. The Lakers’ depth would guarantee that they are competitive even when their stars are taking time off. With the rigors of an 82-game season and the intensity of the playoffs, this degree of depth and versatility would be essential.
The Lakers Get Two Excellent Complementary Pieces To Make A Deep Playoff Run With The Four-Team Proposed Trade, Which Also Provides A Great Future Return For The Subbing Pacers
The first important player leaving for Indiana is Rui Hachimura, who played in 68 games last season and averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Hachimura’s mid-range game and ability to score in the post have showed glimpses of making him a consistent scoring option. He is an adaptable forward who can guard several spots thanks to his aggressiveness and athleticism, which fits in nicely with the Pacers’ defensive strategies. Even if Hachimura hasn’t yet achieved superstar status, the Pacers could offer the right atmosphere for him to do so, especially considering the bigger role he would probably play on a younger squad.
Arguably, the Pacers’ most valued acquisition in this trade is Austin Reaves. With the Lakers, Reaves had a standout season, averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 82 games. Along with his physical skills, he has a strong basketball IQ. His improvement as a playmaker and scorer has been impressive. Reaves is the kind of guy who can fit into any lineup, giving the Pacers rotational versatility.
He’s demonstrated his ability to handle the ball, set up the offense, and make baskets when necessary, which makes him a prime option to develop alongside Tyrese Haliburton and other young Indiana players. Reaves’ clutch performances with the Lakers demonstrate his ability to perform under duress, which makes him a huge asset if Indiana wants to win the playoffs consistently.
The Pacers’ frontcourt is strengthened by the addition of Jaxson Hayes, who averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 70 games. Hayes is an athletic big man who thrives in a rim-running role and can contribute significantly off the bench, even if his numbers might not leap off the page. In the few minutes he plays, his size and athleticism enable him to be a productive rebounder and shot-blocker, and with more regular playing time, he might grow even more. Hayes would be able to develop in a less stressful atmosphere in Indiana and, with time, maybe blossom into a more dependable contributor.
This deal fits in well with Indiana’s plan to develop a youthful, competitive club in addition to adding players who can contribute right away. The Pacers might remain a formidable team in the Eastern Conference with Haliburton in charge and players like Hachimura and Reaves blending in nicely. Indiana now has another asset in the form of the 2031 first-round pick, which they may use to draft or trade for more talent as their young core becomes older.
