New Pacers trade rumors kill any chance of a trade with the Lakers

Prior to the 2022-23 season, it seemed destined that the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers would make a trade centered around Russell Westbrook. The Lakers would get Buddy Hield and Myles Turner while the Pacers would receive (and buyout) Westbrook and two future first-round picks.

The deal was reportedly on the one-yard-line before the Lakers decided not to pull the trigger. Los Angeles did not think that Hield and Turner were worth two first-round picks, making the unpopular decision to keep Westbrook in LA.

Since making that decision, the Lakers have moved Westbrook to the bench and it has been better for everyone involved. The Pacers have been far better than expected, turning in one of the best records in the Eastern Conference when many thought they would be competing for Victor Wembanyama.

But still, the possibility of LA making a trade with Indy was always present in the back of Lakers fans’ minds. That can now officially end, as the latest reporting from Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports outlines a new, different motive for the Pacers.

"“Indiana’s surprising success has done no favors for hopeful buyers around the league, both in terms of filling a coveted East playoff spot and perhaps eliminating another expected seller from the board. […] There’s indeed a growing sense among rival teams that Indiana will search for upgrades ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, albeit with an eye trained toward players who fit the Pacers’ long-term vision.”"

Fischer goes on to outline how the Pacers are potentially looking for a power forward to slot next to the thriving Myles Turner, who no longer looks to be the dangled trade asset that he once was. Fischer even writes that the most likely Pacers center to be traded is Goga Bitadze, not Turner.

These Pacers trade rumors kill any potential trade with the Lakers.

It is clear that the Pacers are interested in potentially improving at the deadline and even if that happens, they do not appear to be in a position to sell. It is impossible to do so. Indiana has won too many games and can’t realistically get back into the Wembanyama sweepstakes.

Indy is tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 23-19 record. Nobody in that building likely expects the team to be a true contender this year but there is obviously a lot of potential with this young core. Adding to that to improve this year and long-term is the best route the team can take.

Obviously, a Russell Westbrook salary dump does not fit into that category. Maybe if the Pacers were 14-28 they would jump at a Russ trade, even if they were only getting one first-round pick in return.

Maybe this is an indictment on Rob Pelinka. By not making the trade when it was possible, Pelinka was likely hoping Indiana would bottom out and only ask for one pick in return. Instead of getting leverage, the Lakers lost the ability to make a trade altogether. Now the team must look for a discount Buddy Hield to go with their discount Myles Turner.

Lakers rumors: Knicks lower asking price for Cam Reddish trade

Cam Reddish has long been in the Los Angeles Lakers rumors mill and a trade seems more likely than ever with the Knicks lowering the asking price.

It stings but at least fans don’t have to keep thinking about the possibility of the Lakers making a trade with the Pacers.