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Lakers Moving Up the Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings

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11. Los Angeles Lakers (26-18)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W vs. WAS, W vs. BOS, W at GS, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 113.4 (13th)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (22nd)

First quarter: C+
Second quarter: C

The Lakers offense remains inconsistent, but the defense went from one of the worst in the NBA in the first quarter of the season to a top-10 performance in the second quarter. All five of the Lakers’ 30-minute players average no more than two personal fouls per game, and only the San Antonio Spurs have allowed a lower free-throw-attempt rate over the last seven weeks. Anthony Davis has averaged more blocks (2.6) than fouls in that span.

Pacers’ financial obstacles facing Myles Turner

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Besides the reasons the Pacers may have to keep Turner, there are questions about his long-term future because of the organization’s financial situation. Haliburton and Siakam have identical contracts for the next three years past the 2024-25 season and will each make $45.5 million next season. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and TJ McConnell are under contract long-term, and Bennedict Mathurin will be eligible for a rookie extension after this year.

Already, the Pacers are committed to over $160 million for the 2025-26 season. Turner will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, where he will be the best center available on the open market. Despite many teams not expected to have cap space, Turner will have several suitors who will look to either free up cap space or acquire him by way of a sign-and-trade, sources said.

This is one of the main reasons behind Indiana exploring what Turner’s value is right now before the trade deadline.

After all, Turner will want to be paid in free agency. If the Pacers were to give him a contract in the $30 million per year range, they would undoubtedly be an apron team. Historically, Indiana has always been a team that tends to shy away from paying the luxury tax, and they worked hard this season to remain right below the tax line. While philosophies from the brain trust could always change, expectations around the league are that the Pacers will once again seek to be financially stable.

Turner is not a player the Pacers actively want to trade over the next 10 days, but the direction of their future will be shaped by this decision. It continues to look more unlikely than likely that Indiana will actually cave and finally trade Turner after years of being pulled into trade rumors.

If anything is known, it’s that the Pacers are not going to be sellers by any means, and they will continue to search the trade market for potential upgrades that can help them get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.