Can Lakers make a trade to take advantage of Pacers’ rebuild?

With news breaking that the Indiana Pacers anticipate a rebuild, the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the teams positioned to take advantage of trades. 

Although December is early for most NBA teams, for some, a sense of direction is decided in less than 30 games into the season.

That seems to be the case for the Indiana Pacers who, despite having several talented players on their roster, sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 10-16.

Drastic changes are expected from the Pacers in response, according to a new report by The Athletic.

According to The Athletic, “multiple sources said that the Pacers are receptive in trade dialogue with rival teams centered on potentially moving guard Caris LeVert and either two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis or center Myles Turner.”

If the Pacers do have LeVert, Sabonis and Turner on the trading block, one team that could always benefit from a good trade is the Los Angeles Lakers. Known for drawing talent from across the league, the Lakers make an easy case for recruiting whomever the Pacers eventually offer up in trades.

Are Lakers a potential trade destination for Pacers talent?

While the Lakers are a must-have in any big-name trade conversation, the reality is that a Pacers trade with the Lakers remains unlikely.

The Lakers would have to find a trade worth up to $17 million to match salaries, and while a trade involving Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and someone else could work, it wouldn’t be valuable enough for the Pacers to get something worthwhile out of it.

Additionally, the Lakers don’t have any picks they can offer, making other trade destinations more desirable for the Pacers.

Instead, the Pacers could trade Myles Turner to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a move that the Timberwolves are apparently considering.

While the Lakers likely won’t benefit from a Pacers trade, another NBA team could acquire the piece they need to advance to the postseason in future years.