The Los Angeles Lakers backed away this offseason from a proposed trade of Russell Westbrook and draft capital to the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Budy Hield, sources tell Dave McMenamin.

The Lakers concluded that giving up both their 2027 and 2029 first round picks for Turner and Hield was too exorbitant of a price given it wouldn't automatically turn them into contenders.

The Lakers also believed that the trade would remain available to them by the Pacers further along in the season.

The Lakers also expect more teams to be open for business beginning December 15th when players who signed offseason contracts become eligible to be traded.

Sources say there is a belief by the leaders in the Lakers' locker room that they are only a couple of players away from turning the roster into a legitimate contender.