Indiana Pacers Receive: G Austin Reaves, G Kemba Walker, C Nerlens Noel, G Alec Burks, 2027 First-Round Pick Swap, 2023 Second-Round Pick (via CHI)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, G/F Evan Fournier
New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2026 First-Round Pick
The New York Knicks have the option of relying more on Immanuel Quickley as their point guard of the future or simply acquiring a younger option than Russell Westbrook.
There is justifiable logic that goes into the Knicks’ perspective of this NBA trade scenario. While Westbrook may not be the cleanest of fits for New York, they’d be able to clear the salaries of Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, and Alec Burks to open up major flexibility next offseason.
Keep in mind, that the Knicks could position themselves almost perfectly as a Donovan Mitchell or Damian Lillard trade suitor by doing so. Adding a future first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers certainly doesn’t hurt those efforts since it would only bolster a potential trade offer.
By opening up cap space, the Knicks could even recruit another star to join whoever they trade for in the future to jump-start their contention efforts.
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The Pacers wouldn’t get a future first-round pick outright in this NBA trade scenario since they wouldn’t be the team taking on Westbrook’s contract. Instead, they’d receive a future first-round pick swap and Austin Reaves while taking on short-term contracts for salary matching.
