Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, C Myles Turner, G Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Austin Reaves, 2025 First-Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2023 Second-Round Pick, 2024 Second-Round Pick
This NBA trade scenario is effectively an expanded version of the first one. Whether the Indiana Pacers like it or not will depend on their evaluation of the two young Lakers changing teams here.
Talen Horton-Tucker’s struggles this season have been well-documented. They may not much much to worry about. After all, it’s hard to picture a young player who wouldn’t have struggled in this team’s environment this season.
The spacing was cramped and the locker room seemed tense. The Lakers were a mess on and off the court this season. A change of scenario could benefit Horton-Tucker tremendously.
Austin Reaves was solid in a low-usage role for the Lakers this season. He looks like a longstanding rotation player in this league: he’s not the most skilled, but he’s willing to outwork anyone.
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The Indiana Pacers could be forgiven for balking at this package. Second-round picks hold minimal value. The Lakers are low on draft capital: the Stepien Rule disallows them from dealing any more first-rounders than the ones involved here. If Indiana doesn’t see much in either of Horton-Tucker or Reaves, they’d probably prefer the first package.
Still, the Lakers would at least have to push for this one before compromising. Adding Myles Turner into the package could propel them back onto a very small list of title contenders.
