Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, G TJ McConnell, C Goga Bitadze
Even though Russell Westbrook’s current contract is set to expire after the 2022-23 season, his $47.1 million salary will require incentives for a potential suitor to acquire him.
Not only would the Los Angeles Lakers be moving Westbrook’s contract in this particular trade scenario, but they’d also be gaining a few helpful guards in return. Malcolm Brogdon and TJ McConnell would be immediate backcourt replacements that project as cleaner fits.
The Pacers have their point guard for the future and also are a rebuilding team. McConnell is already 30 and Brogdon is set to turn 30 during the upcoming season.
Neither Brogdon nor McConnell fits Indiana’s timeline and is signed to multi-year deals that are eating up cap space. Taking on an expiring deal like Westbrook’s would help to clear massive spending room as the Pacers continue to build around Haliburton.
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Goga Bitadze would be included purely as salary filler. He’s been a bad NBA player since being drafted and is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
