Lakers, Pacers Engaged In Serious Russell Westbrook Talks Right Before Start Of Camp

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 3:53 pm

The Los Angeles Lakers did not find a workable trade of Russell Westbrook this offseason, but sources tell The Athletic that "the prospect of him being traded in the coming weeks and months remains real."

The Lakers are trying to make the Westbrook situation as productive as possible in the meantime under Darvin Ham.

On the cusp of training camp, the Lakers were engaged with the Indiana Pacers on deep conversations on a Westbrook trade. The Lakers seriously considered sending Westbrook and unprotected picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. Every conversation the Pacers have had with the Lakers has led to the demand of both available first round picks.

The talks were serious enough for the Lakers to delay a midweek news conference for Rob Pelinka and Ham.

Pelinka was given the authority to make the ultimate decision, but they wanted to reach a consensus. Joey Buss and Jesse Buss are being considered among the leaders of the front office more than ever and contributed to the debate.

Via Shams Charania, Jovan Buha/The Athletic

YourGM99 · Post #2 » by **YourGM99** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 4:45 pm

Trading 2 first round picks for two role players with glaring weaknesses does not make sense. Turner has missed just as many games as AD over the past few seasons and he would be on the bench when AD moves to the 5 to close games or against any team that plays small ball. Hield is one dimensional with declining shooting percentages over the past few seasons. He is not a defender and that didn’t work well last year when none of the wings could defend. Also, he is better suited to be a 6th/7th man not a starter. Hold the picks for a few months to see what you can get from these new guys (Nunn, Walker, Jones, Bryant, and Brown) and maybe better players become available as the season progresses. They really need another forward who can guard the elite small forwards and shooting guards because Lebron can’t be expected to do that in year 20 and carry so much of the load on offense.

Liam_Gallagher · Post #3 » by **Liam_Gallagher** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 4:49 pm

browntown15 · Post #4 » by **browntown15** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 5:36 pm

The Lakers simply need to get back 1-2 2nd round picks from the Pacers so that they have the ability to draft some rookie scale players down the line. Myles is really young too and can play with AD for a while. Buddy is really useful with Lebron and you could always trade him in a couple years to anybody for a pick.

Post #5 » by **dougthonus** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 5:38 pm

Westbrook + 2 future 1sts that hit in 5 and 7 years for two productive above average / below star level starting caliber players on reasonable contracts is about as good as you could hope for here if you are LA.

Those picks might be utterly worthless given the high desirability to play for the Lakers and potential for LA to utilize that for a quick rebuild later on, and they don't come due forever.

There's definitely high risk for the Lakers that this trade isn't enough to put them in a notably better position and that they could get hammered if they can't lure guys via FA later on, but the risk/reward profile for another team making this trade here isn't so great that you're going to find a better offer.

Quite simply, if this isn't it for you, then you probably are best off moving forward with Russ and calling it a day. The deals aren't likely to get better.

TimeisIllmatic · Post #6 » by **TimeisIllmatic** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 5:58 pm

The Lakers got themselves into this Russ mess so they can't expect anyone to bail 'em out. I'd rather the Lakers just ride it out with Russ for this year since it's not like they will do much with this roster anyways. Keep the future picks 'cause you never know what will happen down the line in 5+ years.

TimeisIllmatic · Post #7 » by **TimeisIllmatic** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:05 pm

dougthonus wrote:Westbrook + 2 future 1sts that hit in 5 and 7 years for two productive above average / below star level starting caliber players on reasonable contracts is about as good as you could hope for here if you are LA.

Those picks might be utterly worthless given the high desirability to play for the Lakers and potential for LA to utilize that for a quick rebuild later on, and they don't come due forever.

There's definitely high risk for the Lakers that this trade isn't enough to put them in a notably better position and that they could get hammered if they can't lure guys via FA later on, but the risk/reward profile for another team making this trade here isn't so great that you're going to find a better offer.

Quite simply, if this isn't it for you, then you probably are best off moving forward with Russ and calling it a day. The deals aren't likely to get better.

You make a good point but I don't know if LA is the desirable location like it used to be. Only reason LeBron came to LA was a way to grow his brand and Magic being able to work his magic (pun intended). Everyone and their momma knew AD was a done deal to come to the Lakers due to being a Klutch client. Point being, once LeBron and AD leave; the Lakers will have to show something for the young stars to want to sign in LA.

Salty1 · Post #8 » by **Salty1** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:07 pm

They should instead trade two pick swaps so they can make future deals

tigerae · Post #9 » by **tigerae** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:16 pm

TimeisIllmatic wrote:The Lakers got themselves into this Russ mess so they can't expect anyone to bail 'em out. I'd rather the Lakers just ride it out with Russ for this year since it's not like they will do much with this roster anyways. Keep the future picks 'cause you never know what will happen down the line in 5+ years.

The Lakers have been terrible at picking players from the draft since their Jerry West days. Especially in first rounds. Their current roster may not make much noise, but putting 2 pieces that can spread the floor and play defense next to a healthy LBJ and Davis and you may have something that can make a playoff run.

At the same time, I think they should give Russ a shot. If Ham can actually create opportunities to play his game, it could work. Vogel just tried to change him too much imo.

Los Angeles is still Los Angeles. There's a reason why a lot of NBA players have houses in LA even if they don't play for either teams. It will always be a destination city for free agents. The history of the Lakers will also have a draw on top of that. Problem is the management, which they will need to figure out, sooner or later.

Post #10 » by **dougthonus** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:20 pm

TimeisIllmatic wrote:You make a good point but I don't know if LA is the desirable location like it used to be. Only reason LeBron came to LA was a way to grow his brand and Magic being able to work his magic (pun intended). Everyone and their momma knew AD was a done deal to come to the Lakers due to being a Klutch client. Point being, once LeBron and AD leave; the Lakers will have to show something for the young stars to want to sign in LA.

Sure, that's the risk for LA, but if Giannis decides he wants to grow his brand in 3 years, then maybe LA is cooking with gas again really quickly. Who knows. If I'm another team, I'm looking at picks that I'm probably no longer employed here for when they come due. What is my incentive to help the next guy in my role by giving up valuable players now?

That's why there just isn't likely much better here. I'm not saying LA should do it, maybe they shouldn't. Just saying that package isn't yielding a star.

meekrab · Post #11 » by **meekrab** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:45 pm

browntown15 wrote:The Lakers simply need to get back 1-2 2nd round picks from the Pacers so that they have the ability to draft some rookie scale players down the line. Myles is really young too and can play with AD for a while. Buddy is really useful with Lebron and you could always trade him in a couple years to anybody for a pick.

There's no 'rookie scale' for 2nd round picks. Contracts work just like a free agent.

basketballwacko2 · Post #12 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:50 pm

Here we go again! Unless it's 2 #1 picks the LAL can pound sand.

basketballwacko2 · Post #13 » by **basketballwacko2** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 6:51 pm

YourGM99 wrote:Trading 2 first round picks for two role players with glaring weaknesses does not make sense. Turner has missed just as many games as AD over the past few seasons and he would be on the bench when AD moves to the 5 to close games or against any team that plays small ball. Hield is one dimensional with declining shooting percentages over the past few seasons. He is not a defender and that didn’t work well last year when none of the wings could defend. Also, he is better suited to be a 6th/7th man not a starter. Hold the picks for a few months to see what you can get from these new guys (Nunn, Walker, Jones, Bryant, and Brown) and maybe better players become available as the season progresses. They really need another forward who can guard the elite small forwards and shooting guards because Lebron can’t be expected to do that in year 20 and carry so much of the load on offense.

Then why do the Lakers keep coming back for more no thank you's from the Pacers? Sorry we are not their farm team.

Post #14 » by **Darthlukey** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 7:26 pm

Salty1 wrote:They should instead trade two pick swaps so they can make future deals

Pacers would be silly to accept that. Part of taking the picks is locking the lakers up so they can't make more deals, which potentially helps the value of the picks long term

Post #15 » by **TheCage4** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 7:29 pm

Why would the Pacers want Westbrook with Haliburton and Duarte? Keep Russ as far away from a young developing team as you can, regardless of draft compensation.

LikeABosh · Post #16 » by **LikeABosh** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 7:36 pm

TheCage4 wrote:Why would the Pacers want Westbrook with Haliburton and Duarte? Keep Russ as far away from a young developing team as you can, regardless of draft compensation.

The trade isn't for Westbrook. It saves them money in the next 2 years and gets them 2 first round picks. Easy decision for a young team

Beethoven · Post #17 » by **Beethoven** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 7:47 pm

Dew it

flagstaff · Post #18 » by **flagstaff** » Mon Oct 3, 2022 9:24 pm

LikeABosh wrote:
TheCage4 wrote:Why would the Pacers want Westbrook with Haliburton and Duarte? Keep Russ as far away from a young developing team as you can, regardless of draft compensation.

The trade isn't for Westbrook. It saves them money in the next 2 years and gets them 2 first round picks. Easy decision for a young team

They could always buy him out and keep him away from their team if they want. So is 2 first round picks worth whatever the buy out costs?

Michaellam1987 · Post #19 » by **Michaellam1987** » Tue Oct 4, 2022 2:28 am

flagstaff wrote:
LikeABosh wrote:
TheCage4 wrote:Why would the Pacers want Westbrook with Haliburton and Duarte? Keep Russ as far away from a young developing team as you can, regardless of draft compensation.

The trade isn't for Westbrook. It saves them money in the next 2 years and gets them 2 first round picks. Easy decision for a young team

They could always buy him out and keep him away from their team if they want. So is 2 first round picks worth whatever the buy out costs?

The key point is to unload Hield’s next year contract and also get back 2 future first round picks. IND does lose Turner, but he is injury prone, and not a guarantee to return to IND next year. It is a no brainer for IND for that deal proposal. Westbrook is an expiring, they can buy him out to save some money, they can just let him expire, they can hold until coming trade deadline to see what else they can do, that is tons of possibilities.

madmaxmedia · Post #20 » by **madmaxmedia** » Tue Oct 4, 2022 5:24 am

If I were the Pacers I’d be willing to give the Lakers protection on one of the picks if it got the deal done. Nothing too much, say top 3 and then top 5.