Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, G T.J. McConnell, G Aaron Nesmith, C Daniel Theis

Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, F Talen Horton-Tucker, 2027 First-Round Pick

This trade scenario is a little more in-depth as there are more pieces involved. The Los Angeles Lakers are revamping their entire rotation, acquiring four players that could receive regular minutes for them during the 2022-23 season. 

Daniel Theis has a ton of playoff experience, providing some insurance in the middle. The Lakers added two players in Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant at the center spot in free agency and Theis will provide even more serviceable depth.

Buddy Hield is an elite, high-volume 3-point shooter. He will thrive alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis with all of the open jump shots he will have. Aaron Nesmith could benefit similarly as he was regarded as the best shooter in the 2020 draft class.

T.J. McConnell is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. He would be a major upgrade for a team that struggled to find people to run the offense last season. McConnell is also an excellent defender. The only real negative to his game is that he struggles shooting 3-pointers.

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Meanwhile, the Pacers are taking a long-term outlook with this deal. Indiana would be clearing their roster of every player that has more than one season remaining on their contract that isn’t on a rookie deal.

Westbrook is on an expiring deal, and Talen Horton-Tucker has a player option for the 2023-24 season. Even if he opts in, he fits the timeline in Indiana as he is only 21 years old. His inclusion in this deal is why only one first-round draft picks is included for taking on Westbrook.

Clearing that much cap space and landing a player with upside in Horton-Tucker makes up for not having a second first-round pick included.