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Lakers, Pacers trade of Hield and Turner for Westbrook is dead. For now.

Lakers, Pacers trade of Hield and Turner for Westbrook is dead. For now.

The Lakers have been talking to the Pacers about Buddy Hieldas has been previously reported — and Indiana center Myles Turner has also been part of the discussions.

However, those talks are dead for now with the Lakers offering Russell Westbrook and his $47 million salary plus one of their first-round picks — Indiana wants two, reports Bob Kravitz at The Athletic.

A trade package that would have seen the Los Angeles Lakers trade Russell Westbrook and a first-rounder to the Indiana Pacers in return for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield is currently dead, sources tell The Athletic. The Pacers want a second first-round selection added to the deal, sources say.

Nothing is ever “dead” in NBA trade talks. In this case, an additional first-round pick would revive them. Marc Stein confirmed this news.

It’s obvious why the Lakers would be interested in this trade. Hield and Turner would provide depth and shooting — both can knock down 3s — plus Turner would provide needed elite rim protection and could play next to Anthony Davis.

Indiana is rebuilding, and the buzz during Summer League was they expected at least a first-round pick for each of Hield and Turner. These reports fit with that talk.

The Lakers have two first-round picks they can trade — 2027 and 2029 (although they could convey a year earlier, depending on what happens to picks already owed the Pelicans) — but have resisted including both in any trade.

Los Angeles is stuck in a bind. On the one hand, with a 37-year-old LeBron James, the Lakers are as win now a team as it gets. But, on the other hand, L.A. surrendered so many draft picks and so much young talent in trades to land Davis and Westbrook it is trying to hold on to its future assets to replenish its stock.

If the Lakers were to put both first-round picks in a trade package, it likely would be for the NetsKyrie Irving than it would be for the Pacers’ two-man package. Irving with Davis and LeBron would at least give Los Angeles a chance at getting out of the West; Turner and Hield are good players but they don’t raise the Lakers’ ceiling the same way.

If the Pacers traded for Westbrook they would buy him out, robbing NBA fans everywhere of an almost inevitable clash between Westbrook and coach Rick Carlisle.

It’s difficult to envision how a straight-up, two-team trade between the Lakers and Pacers can come together unless the Lakers throw in both picks and maybe a young player Indiana likes. The Pacers have…

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