LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Lakers refused to give Kyrie Irving long-term deal as part of proposed trade, Pacers firm on asking price for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, and more | November 5, 2022
The LA Lakers were one of the interested teams in Kyrie Irving in the offseason when he sought a sign-and-trade out of the Brooklyn Nets. The latest rumors suggest that the Lakers refused to give Irving a long-term deal as part of a proposed trade.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers maintained their asking price for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. The Lakers have been linked with the Pacers duo since the offseason. However, they were reportedly reluctant to part ways with their two unprotected first-round picks.
Here is the latest LA Lakers rumors roundup for Nov. 5 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
LA Lakers refused to give Kyrie Irving long-term deal as part of proposed trade
Before opting into the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving tried to find a sign-and-trade scenario. One of the rumored teams to have an interest in Irving was the LA Lakers.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday's SportsCenter episode that were hesitant to give Irving a long-term contract. The Lakers were in discussions with the Nets about a sign-and-trade deal, but it never materialized. Given Irving's current issues, it's hard to fathom if any team is willing to give him a max contract this summer.
"I think it speaks to what happened last summer when Brooklyn was resistant to giving Kyrie Irving a long-term guaranteed contract," Wojnarowski said. "So were the Lakers in a sign-and-trade scenario with Brooklyn. I think for Kyrie Irving, these were the questions that put him in this situation where he was in the final year of his deal.
"I don't think there's anything that's happened so far this season on or especially off the court that’s going to give anybody more comfort with committing to Kyrie Irving on a long-term contract that leaves an organization without the flexibility to move out from under it."
Indiana Pacers firm on asking price for Myles Turner, Buddy Hield after Paul George tampering
The most prominent names linked to the LA Lakers since the offseason are Myles Turner and Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers. Turner has even acknowledged the rumors surrounding him and the Lakers. In his appearance on "The Woj Pod," Turner favors the Lakers making a trade for him and Hield.
However, the Lakers have been very reluctant to part ways with their coveted unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029. Pacers beat writer Scott Agness told Michael Scotto on the "HoopsHype" podcast that Indiana are firm on their asking price. Agness even believes the Pacers should not easily make a deal with the Lakers due to their previous tampering with Paul George years ago.
"The Lakers are the most obvious destination," Agness said. "If I'm the Pacers, I'm holding firm and not giving in, considering the Lakers' tampering they were fined for with Paul George.
"People forget that. Maybe it's petty, but as a small market team, why would you want to help a big market team like the Lakers, who get what they want more often than not?"
Acquiring Russell Westbrook doesn't make sense for Miami Heat
Russell Westbrook has been involved in a lot of hypothetical trade scenarios since last season. One trade scenario brought up by a Miami Heat fan is the LA Lakers sending Westbrook to South Beach in exchange for Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel rebuffed the trade proposal despite the win-win potential for both teams. Winderman pointed out the Lakers' chances of signing Kyrie Irving next summer, while explaining that the Heat are not interested in not making the postseason.
"This is not a team that punts playoff chances (plus, this early, it would be like punting on first down)," Winderman said. "And then, from a Lakers perspective, why lock in such a cap commitment when you can otherwise use cap space next summer for the likes of a Kyrie Irving?"