The NBA world is getting closer to finding out which teams will play in the 2025 Finals, and one of the franchises with a real shot might lose a key player for next season—because he’s already being linked to the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.

Is he heading to join LeBron James or Stephen Curry? The Los Angeles Lakers shook up the 2024–25 season with a blockbuster trade involving Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis as the main pieces, but things didn’t go well in their first Playoff appearance.

The Lakers won only one game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs and were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, making it clear they lack a top-tier center following Anthony Davis’ departure. “We know we need a big,” said Rob Pelinka, GM of the Los Angeles team, and now a big name has started to emerge.

The Golden State Warriors also couldn’t get past the Timberwolves in the Playoffs, and one of the key factors in the series was the lack of interior presence—a weakness that stood out in Stephen Curry and company’s roster. Despite what Draymond Green could contribute, the Dubs still need more size and could target a center who is also being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The player expected to reach the NBA Finals is now being linked to both the Lakers and Warriors

Myles Turner and LeBron James. (Photo: Getty Images)

“Myles Turner has been involved in trade rumors for so long that he’s been linked to nearly every team in need of a starting center. A sign-and-trade deal would be complicated for the Warriors and Lakers, but both franchises would be a natural fit in the unlikely event that the Pacers and Turner can’t reach an agreement,” wrote ESPN journalist Kevin Pelton.

The stats behind Myles Turner’s appeal to the Warriors and Lakers

A two-time NBA blocks leader, Myles Turner has spent nine seasons in the league, averaging 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and shooting 36.2% from three-point range over his career. The 29-year-old center is currently playing with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, averaging 16.5 points, 2.3 blocks, and 5.5 rebounds per game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.