The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason officially began with their 2021-22 NBA season coming to an end Sunday. They already fired head coach Frank Vogel, which is the first of plenty of changes that are expected to occur in the coming weeks.
One player that people will be keeping an eye on in the coming weeks is Russell Westbrook. The Lakers took a big risk acquiring him from the Washington Wizards and it backfired. The results this season were abysmal, as the team didn’t even qualify for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles will do whatever they can to find a team that is willing to make a deal involving the embattled point guard. Zach Lowe, on a recent episode of his podcast, suggested the Indiana Pacers as a possible landing spot.
“Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, two unprotected first-round picks for Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon,” Lowe said on his podcast Thursday. “Who says no to that?”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Potential Trade Packages To Send Russell Westbrook To Indiana Pacers
That is certainly an intriguing deal with multiple layers to peel back. For the Los Angeles Lakers, they would be restocking their roster with pieces that better fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As long as those two remain on the roster, Los Angeles can quickly become contenders once again.
Brogdon is a great fit alongside LeBron James as he can handle some of the playmaking and ball-handling duties normally bestowed upon James. Unlike Westbrook, Brogdon is a dangerous player off the ball as well. He is a strong 3-point shooter and someone that can take advantage of teams leaving him open on the perimeter.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Potential Trade Packages To Send Russell Westbrook To Indiana Pacers
While likely not a future Hall of Famer like Russell Westbrook, Malcolm Brogdon is also a huge upgrade defensively in the backcourt. The biggest question mark when it comes to Brogdon, however, is health. Westbrook was durable, but Brogdon has battled a multitude of injuries
As for Hield, he is someone the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to in NBA trade rumors as having an interest in for a while. They almost acquired him in a trade from the Sacramento Kings last offseason before pivoting to the Russell Westbrook deal.
Hield is a high-volume 3-point sniper that would thrive alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They command so much attention from opposing defenses that Hield would find himself attempting the most open jump shots in his career.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Potential Trade Packages To Send Russell Westbrook To Pacers
As for the Indiana Pacers, they would be picking up two more draft picks to add to their stockpile. Talen Horton-Tucker has struggled this season, but at 21-years old, has immense potential. Leaving a team in the Lakers, who cannot focus much on his development, for a team in the Pacers that can, could help him get things on track.
Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield likely aren’t long-term pieces on the team, as Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte are their future in the backcourt. There may not be much of a use for Russell Westbrook either, as he could be bought out after the trade is completed.
