It was reported Friday that a proposed blockbuster that would've sent nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Indiana Pacers was " currently dead." According to Shams Charania of The Athletic on Monday morning, however, the Pacers are still among at least a few teams with interest in the former league MVP.
The Jazz, Knicks and Pacers have expressed interest in acquiring Russell Westbrook and draft capital from the Lakers, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/S6fhN5oRTW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 25, 2022
Having traded Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics earlier in the offseason, Indiana's current depth chart shows Tyrese Haliburton as the starting point guard with T.J. McConnell heading into the 2022-2023 campaign. The Knicks have a new starting point guard in town after signing Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million deal, while the Jazz have reportedly been floating veteran Mike Conley Jr. in trade talks.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic said last week that Westbrook and the Lakers seemed to be heading towards an "inevitable divorce," even though the 33-year-old exercised his $47.1 million option in June.
Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.0 steal per contest during his first season in Los Angeles.
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