Russell Westbrook soap opera: Pacers turn down Lakers offer

Even if Darvin Ham multiplies the declarations in favor of Russell Westbrook, management continues to seek a base for him. Discussions with the Nets around a Kyrie Irving trade have stalled, and those with the Pacers are now over!

According to The Athletic, Indiana executives turned down the Lakers’ offer to send Russell Westbrook and a first-round draft pick to the Pacers in exchange for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.

Indiana refused because, like the Nets, they want two first rounds of the Draft.

According to The Athletic, the Lakers can return to the charge with a second first round of the Draft. For the moment, they are offering their choice of 2027, and they can give up that of 2029. It should also be noted that they all have their first choices from 2025, and that they therefore have room. Before that, it was the Pelicans who had their hands on their first rounds following the transfer of Anthony Davis in 2019.

As for the future of Russell Westbrook at the Pacers, it is very short term since the All-Star point guard would be cut in stride. We understand better why the Pacers want to recover two first rounds of Draft.