Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, G Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2023 Second Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
This is more like what the Los Angeles Lakers will try to push for in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. They are not only moving on from Russell Westbrook but acquiring multiple pieces that will instantly upgrade their rotation.
Malcolm Brogdon will take over as the team’s starting point guard, as he is a great fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Brogdon is a capable playmaker, able to take some of the ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities off of James’ plate. He is also an excellent 3-point shooter, providing the spacing that was missing from this season’s team.
Speaking of spacing, there aren’t many players in the NBA that can provide it in the fashion that Buddy Hield does. Hield is one of the best high-volume shooters in the league.
The 36.6 percent that he shot this past season was a career-low, but still above average in the league. He would get plenty of wide-open opportunities playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who will garner most of the attention from opposing defenses.
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Figuring out the draft compensation will be the sticky point. Los Angeles has been hesitant to add first-round picks along with Westbrook, but in this instance, they will have to. They include the 2027 first-round pick, but add top-5 protection on it in case things are going further south by then.
Indiana also gets a second-round pick in 2023, which seems like fair compensation since the Lakers are taking on so much long-term salary.
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Indiana clears a ton of future salary for one year of Westbrook’s bloated salary, picking up draft compensation in the process. Los Angeles gets much-needed upgrades and depth in their rotation, something which will be the focus of their offseason.
