NBA Rumors: One Westbrook Trade Possibility Is "Dead"

Russell Westbrook apparently wants out of LA, and the Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to oblige him. But according to a report in The Athletic, at least one of those potential deals "is currently dead."

A potential Lakers trade package sending Russell Westbrook and a first-rounder to the Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield is currently dead, sources tell @bkravitz.

The Pacers want an additional first-round pick added.

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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 22, 2022

The Lakers were hoping to send the beleaguered Westbrook and a first-round pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for center Myles Turner and sharpshooter Buddy Hield. 

But according to Bob Kravitz, the Pacers want an addition first-rounder added to the deal, and the Lakers are balking. LA is currently offering their 2027 first-round pick in the package, but they also have a 2029 pick available to trade. 

The way Indiana sees it, says Kravitz, they should get one pick for taking on Westbrook, and another for sending two solid players like Turner and Hield. 

The 33-year-old Westbrook has opted in to the $47M final year of his contract, making him difficult to deal, unless there's a team willing to take on the contract in order to dump him, and/or let the deal run out and gain cap relief for next year. 

Turner is a free agent after this season, and will most certainly be moved by the Pacers, either before the season, or before the 2023 trade deadline. 

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