What the heck was Myles Turner supposed to say to this question?
Before he sat down with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Turner probably expected his trade rumors to become a part of the conversation in some way. But there is no way he would have expected the league insider to flatly ask him what he was asked.
During his appearance on The Woj Pod, the big man was asked whether or not the Lakers should trade two first-round draft picks to acquire his services. It’s an unprecedented question that probably caused many fans to raise their eyebrows when they heard it.
Should the Lakers give up the two picks? Full audio of Pacers center Myles Turner on The Woj Pod: https://t.co/yP00bwvnMZ pic.twitter.com/GZvSg9BLyp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2022
Turner, however, was able to answer it must better than anticipated:
“It’s such an intriguing question … When you look at the business of the league and know the landscape of the league, you have to go off your future, right? We all know picks are so valuable in this league and someone like myself, I’m heading into the last year of my deal and you want to make sure you’re getting a return for your assets, right? So if I’m the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you’re in. I know what I can provide for a team: My leadership, my shot-blocking, my 3-point ability, and my ability to make plays out there on the floor. I’d take a very long look at it. But as far as pulling the trigger, I get paid to shoot, not to make these calls. So I couldn’t answer that.”
That was an incredibly diplomatic response from Turner, who stayed remarkably poised in a situation that would have flustered many others.
But then again, what was he supposed to say to this one?
“Nah, the 2027 NBA Draft is shaping up to look super nice! There are some middle schoolers out there I’ve already scouted who are hooping for real.”
“Are you kidding? I already sprained my ankle by tripping over a ball boy during practice. You definitely can get me without surrendering both picks.”
“Meh…I’m not sure how well I’d fit with LeBron and Anthony Davis. Plus, I’m not a Klutch client, so it might be kind of awkward.”
Yeah, let’s just say that Turner handled this one as well as he could have.
