Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kyrie Irving, G Patty Mills

Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Myles Turner, G Buddy Hield

Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap

There seems to be a theme in reporting about the Brooklyn Nets’ intentions regardless of a Kevin Durant trade: they want to field a competitive team.

It’s understandable. After all, they mortgaged their future draft capital to acquire James Harden from the Houston Rockets. With or without Durant, Ben Simmons is a critical piece of the puzzle for the Nets for that very reason alone.

Myles Turner would be an intriguing stretch-five to pair with Simmons, and the Nets should be intrigued by that possibility alone. Not only that, but Turner’s elite rim protection would go quite well with Simmons’ incredible all-around defensive versatility.

Instead of including Seth Curry due to the value he will have next to Simmons, the Nets would instead part with Patty Mills by sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers with Kyrie Irving.

Something to consider: Mills cannot be traded until early October, but there’s no rush on getting a trade done anyway.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Trade Trade Pairs Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons With Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James

The Indiana Pacers would take on Russell Westbrook’s contract while adding a pair of intriguing draft assets in the process. Given it’s a common projection for them to be the worst team in the Eastern Conference next season, it would be a logical approach to take.