Jazz More Likely Than Pacers For Lakers’ Russell Westbrook?

We all know the Lakers are trying to move Russell Westbrook. That’s never been a big secret.

But we have heard Westbrook linked to the Pacers lately, a deal that supposedly involve Buddy Hield and Myles Turner of Indiana. But the Lakers reportedly would need to include both of their next two available first-round picks in such a deal, as well as perhaps players such as Talen Horton-Tucker, who they no longer have.

So would the Jazz be a more viable trade destination for Westbrook? Yes, per Johan Buva of The Athletic.

“As far as Westbrook’s trade market, I’ve heard Indiana and Utah are the two most likely destinations,” Buha said on the HoopsHype podcast. “I think Utah is, from what I’ve been told, more likely than Indiana. There are several permutations there with Indiana where it could be Myles Turner and Buddy Hield together or one of the two.”

Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson were actually already sent to the Jazz for Patrick Beverley — and there have been multiple reports that LA could serve as a third team to help send Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks. 

In that scenario, we can safely assume that the Lakers would need to use both of the aforementioned picks. In fact, multiple league sources have told Hoops Wire that the Lakers aren’t moving on from Westbrook this season unless both — and not just one — of their next two trade-eligible first-rounders are included.

That may or may not be entirely true, but one thing we do know is the Lakers want to move on from Westbrook after one season. At this point, Westbrook may also be just fine moving on from them.

And the Jazz or Pacers may be willing to help, as both are looking for assets and expiring contracts as they enter rebuild seasons.