Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kyle Lowry, G Tyler Herro, F P.J. Tucker, F Markieff Morris
Miami Heat Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2025 First-Round Draft Pick, 2027 First-Round Draft Pick
In this second trade scenario, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers come together on a deal that helps replenish Los Angeles’ depth. Instead of taking back long-term money, the Lakers acquire a long-term asset in addition to immediate help.
One of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry has to be involved to make a deal work salary-wise. Butler isn’t going anywhere and Adebayo isn’t a need as long as Anthony Davis is in the fold. So, Lowry is included for his salary.
The rest of what is needed monetarily is split up among multiple players. Tyler Herro could be a long-term piece for the Lakers but will cost them. P.J. Tucker is a versatile, hard-nosed defender that could fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Markieff Morris has experience playing alongside them and heads back to Los Angeles.
Giving up that much depth, and one of their best long-term assets in Herro is costly. Los Angeles compensates Miami with all the first-round picks they have available to trade because they are moving off of Westbrook’s huge contract and getting back a great young player as part of the deal.
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The Lakers are set up well to compete for a title again, while the Heat remains competitive but have a lot of depth they need to replace. The first-round picks could help them accomplish that.
