NBA Trades: Lakers should target Christian Wood instead of Myles Turner

Russell Westbrook and LeBron James would reduce the impact Myles Turner can have on the Los Angeles Lakers interior defense

Unfortunately for Turner, James and Westbrook’s unwillingness to move also affects the team’s interior defense. James is second on the team in shots allowed in the restricted area, averaging 21.3 per game. Westbrook is not far behind, allowing 20.7 shots in the restricted area. They are both allowing opponents to shoot over 66 percent on these attempts.

The lack of effort has resulted in the opponent shooting 47.2 percent on 46.5 attempts per game. The team has allowed 59.3 points per game in 25.2 minutes per game. Consequently, Turner’s defensive impact would be hindered if he joined the team.

Therefore, Turner’s only benefit to the Lakers would be on the other side of the court with his three-point shooting. Turner has a career three-point percentage of 34.9 percent on 2.6 attempts per game.

Turner’s ability to shoot would allow Anthony Davis to get closer to the basket, where he is most comfortable. Davis has made 70.9 percent of his shots in the restricted area on seven attempts per game from the 2015-16 to 2020-21 season.

He has generated 9.9 points per game in the restricted area – 37.9 percent of his scoring output. Davis has continued to excel in the restricted area this season, shooting 73.9 percent on 7.7 shots per game.

Consequently, the presence of a three-point shooting center, like Turner, would allow Anthony Davis to spend more to be near the basket. However, the team should look at other stretch five options due to Turner’s defensive impact being potentially reduced in Los Angeles.