Latest Lakers intel could spell the end of endless Pacers trade pursuit

At 5-5, the Indiana Pacers have had modest success so far in the season, especially for a team forecasted by most to lie at the bottom of the standings for the most part. While it’s still too early to make a bold call, even if the team struggles eventually, no one would be penciling in a failed season for this group.

In contrast, that’s not the case for the reeling Los Angeles Lakers, owners of the second-worst record among all 30 teams with a 2-8 win-loss card. However, despite their clear struggles, their lone route to improving the roster through trade may just have been blocked following the latest intel, possibly signifying the end of their long pursuit of the Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers-Los Angeles Lakers trade link may be no more following the latest intel

The Athletic’s Shams Charania, a well-regarded NBA insider, claims to have been told that the Lakers brass plans to be more “prudent” with handling their only draft capital at the moment, their first-rounders in 2027 and 2029. With their title chances believed to be pretty small to inexistent even if they possibly bring in reinforcements, mortgaging their future doesn’t seem likely for the franchise as of the moment.

If so, then each and every pathway to a potential deal with the Pacers, which was reported multiple times before to be centered on Myles Turner and Buddy Hield at the cost of said first-round picks and the expiring albatross contract of Russell Westbrook, will be shut by all means.

After all, among all the players believed to be available for plucking on the Lakers roster, no one really appeals or makes much sense for the Blue and Gold on the basketball front. Their best assets in the form of draft capital is really the only asset they have to incentivize other teams to help them get out of their massive hole.

For now at least, Pacers fans could rest easy knowing that the front office is now unlikely to dangle Turner or Hield away to Hollywood, much to the chagrin of the helpless and restless Lakers faithful.

In addition, this should give other teams the chance to assume the role of rabid buyers and try to entice Indiana into trading their veterans, whose impressive play so far has given the front office more leverage to increase their asking prices.

Otherwise, the Indiana Pacers can go left of center, and simply opt to keep their prized veterans who seem to be pretty amenable to helping the young players improve their games for the time being.