Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIA), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Tyler Herro, G Kyle Lowry
There is an obvious theme here.
Really, none of these deals would be billed as a Herro-to-LA trade. The Lakers are the third wheel in each case, a conduit that allows the Heat to upgrade from Herro.
That’s the only way the Lakers will land him. The Heat are firmly in win-now mode, and Herro is a productive player. They’re not going to part with him unless they’re getting someone better in return.
Someone like, for example, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, if anyone’s going to be willing to play ball with these two squads, it’s Sam Presti and his Thunder. We all know how he feels about draft picks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Dream Offseason Trade Targets For Los Angeles Lakers
If the Lakers are going to make meaningful upgrades this season, they’ll have to do a few things. They’ll have to find a taker for Westbrook’s expiring deal, part with some draft capital, and find a third team. In other words, these three package could be a blueprint for the purple-and-gold this summer.
