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Los Angeles Lakers Expected To Resume Trade Talks With Indiana Pacers And Utah Jazz As The Season Wears Down

After failing to make the NBA playoffs last season, the Los Angeles Lakers made a big change at the head coach position, as they moved on from Frank Vogel to Darvin Ham. They also focused on bringing in younger and athletic role players this season as opposed to the year prior.

But while the Lakers attempted to get better, the team opened up the 2022-23 NBA season with a 0-3 record, with their recent loss coming against the Portland Trail Blazers. Enduring a sluggish start, many NBA fans and pundits feel that it’s time for the Lakers to pull the trigger for a major trade.

It’s no secret that the Lakers tried to shop Russell Westbrook throughout the offseason, but nothing came to fruition and they ended up running it back with the 33-year old point guard. 

Now, latest reports stated that the Lakers are expected to resume trade talks involving Westbrook with teams such as Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz later in the season.

Per The Ringer:

“ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that a trade involving [Russell] Westbrook isn’t likely until after Thanksgiving,” wrote Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. “That’s around the same time that Dennis Schröder, who at this point is undoubtedly a better point guard than Westbrook, could return from his thumb surgery.

“When that time comes, Los Angeles will explore trade combinations with the Pacers that involve center Myles Turner and/or wing Buddy Hield. Those talks are currently on hold, but Turner and Hield would both add much-needed shooting, and Turner would provide rim-protection depth behind the oft-injured [Anthony] Davis.

“Utah has been connected to the Lakers for months, too. League sources say that before the Jazz sent Bojan Bogdanovic to the [Detroit] Pistons, the Lakers offered Westbrook, a future first-round pick, and second-rounders for Bogdanovic and others. Sources expect the Lakers and Jazz to resume talks later in the season with some combination of other players discussed. (Utah has Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay—three veterans who can all shoot.)”