The Los Angeles Lakers seem to project themselves with a workforce where will be Russell Westbrook, despite that this does not prevent them from always trying to exchange the playmaker if we are to believe Jonathan Givony. A few hours before the draft, a particularly favorable moment for exchanges, we learn that the Los Angeles Lakers would have had discussions with the Indiana Pacers.
Indeed, the Lakers would have called the Pacers to offer some of their players or assets. They would have gauged Indiana’s interest in Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker or even their first round of draft 2026. Malcolm Brogdon, who would be available for a trade, would undoubtedly have been targeted by the Lakers, but these discussions would not have gone far. The Pacers should be able to get much better in exchange for Brogdon, which would interest a few franchises.
The Lakers should probably resolve to keep Westbrook, who should activate his $47.1 million player option, a salary that makes him very, very difficult to trade. Darvin Ham was however confident about the Westbrook trio, LeBron James et Anthony Davis.
