Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Buddy Hield, G Malcolm Brogdon
Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
This NBA trade scenario sees the Los Angeles Lakers vastly improving their current squad at the expense of their future. That’s a trade they may be forced to make with LeBron James approaching the end of his storied career.
Ironically, the Lakers came so close to acquiring Hield this offseason that several major media outlets reported that the deal was done. It apparently wasn’t.
The Lakers chose Westbrook over Hield’s career 39.8% three-point accuracy. This trade offers them an opportunity to reverse course. Of course, it comes with a price.
The Indiana Pacers, in the early stages of a rebuild, should be happy to acquire two-first round picks at the cost of eating Westbrook’s contract. They could facilitate a buyout, sit him for the one remaining season on his deal, or even just let him play. Whichever choice they opt for will be worth the draft capital they’re acquiring here.
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As for the Lakers, they greatly improve their floor balance by adding a secondary ball-handler who actually compliments James in Brogdon and a three-point sniper in Hield. This deal should get them right back in the mix for the NBA championship.
That’s all the Lakers can ask for. They can’t afford to worry about what might happen in 2027: their time is decidedly now.
