The Los Angeles Lakers still need to figure out their center situation around Luka Doncic. And while no one has really mentioned it, they could also use another guard who can create offense when Doncic and Austin Reaves are off the floor.
Options are typically limited this late in the offseason, but the Milwaukee Bucks have a couple of players the Lakers could use.
Myles Turner, a 6-foot-11 center who can protect the rim, and Kevin Porter Jr., who started 36 of 38 games last season and averaged 17.4 points and 7.4 assists per game, are two names worth looking at.
Here’s a simple trade framework that could bring both to Los Angeles.
Lakers receive: Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr. and a 2031 second round pick (via HOU, with ATL swap rights)
Bucks receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and second round picks in 2031 and 2032 (both from LAL, with WAS swap rights)
Rockets receive: Jake LaRavia and Jaden Hardy
This trade is hypothetical and intended to explore one way the Lakers could address their need for another center. Meanwhile, this framework also brings back a playmaking guard.
Why the Trade Makes Sense for the Lakers
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 26: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 26, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Lakers would give up two young players and three future picks in the deal, but they would come away with a starting center and a starting-caliber guard who could be a game-changer coming off the bench, especially if the recently-signed Collin Sexton misses time.
But adding Turner would be the highlight. The 30-year-old big man has spent his entire career making a living around the rim on defense and around the 3-point line on offense.
Turned averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for Milwaukee last season while shooting 38.3 precent from beyond the arc on 5.4 attempts per game. He drained 147 3s in 71 games.
The scoring is down from the 15.6 points per game he averaged in his final season with Indiana, but his shooting remained a major part of his value. Turner has made at least 147 threes in each of the last two seasons. (That’ll certainly make Doncic smile.)
Turner has won two NBA blocks titles during his career and averaged 1.6 blocks per game last season. He would give the Lakers a legitimate rim protector without having them surrender spacing on the other side of the ball.
Porter Could Give Doncic Another Creator
As for Porter, the 26-year-old guard averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 38 games for Milwaukee last season, shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 87.8 percent from the free-throw line. He also started 36 of those 38 games.
His 2025-26 season was also his most productive passing season by a considerable margin. His previous career high was 6.0 assists per game, which he recorded during his three seasons with Houston.
Porter would not have to average 17 points and eight assists in Los Angeles. Whether he would be cool with that is beside the point for now, but the Lakers could get a creator off the bench. Porter hasn’t always been consistent, but in a reduced role, perhaps the Lakers could make solid use of the former first round pick.
The Lakers have been searching for ways to unload Vanderbilt’s contract this offseason, Heavy’s own Sean Deveney reports, but haven’t been able to secure a trade partner. With the Bucks likely open to removing Turner’s contract from their books, perhaps they would take Vanderbilt in a deal.
Projected NBA Trade Gives Lakers 17 PPG Star and 6’11” Elite Rim Protector