The Indiana Pacers are in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers for more than one deals, but have no interest to acquire Russell Westbrook.
The Pacers and the Lakers discussed a trade for Buddy Hield, but the 17-time NBA champions wanted to include Russell Westbrook in exchange for Myles Turner.
“Per source, the Lakers-Pacers trade involving Russell Westbrook, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and other assets is currently dead.
That’s not to say the Lakers can’t come back and add a second first-round pick to the current package of picks, but for now, things are at a standstill,” Bob Kravitz of The Athletic reports.
Kravitz later tweeted, though, that talks between the Pacers and Lakers appear idle for now, with LA presenting an offer based on draft capital.
Per source, the Lakers-Pacers trade involving Russell Westbrook, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and other assets is currently dead. That's not to say the Lakers can't come back and add a second first-round pick to the current package of picks, but for now, things are at a standstill.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) July 22, 2022
The Lakers have targeted both Hield and Turner after seeing no progress in talks with the Brooklyn Nets on superstar guard Kyrie Irving.
At the moment, it is uncertain how things will play out, but as Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports the franchise will not continue talks with other teams until they are sure an Irving trade will not happen.
The Lakers will not pull the trigger on a deal for Eric Gordon or Buddy Hield until they know absolutely for sure that a Kyrie trade will not happen.
(via @mcten)pic.twitter.com/s6ae1ILlMR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 22, 2022
Russell Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 78 games for the Lakers last season. For his part, Myles Turner had 12.9 points and 7.1 boards, but a foot injury forced him to miss 39 games.
At the same time, Buddy Hield averaged 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 81 games. The 30-year-old guard has two years and $39M left on his current contract.
