Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Myles Turner, G/F Buddy Hield

On the other hand, there’s no question about where the Indiana Pacers stand this summer. They should be rebuilding no matter what.

After all, this team traded longtime franchise star Domantas Sabonis for exciting guard Tyrese Haliburton this summer. Haliburton is great, but he’s likely too young to lead a contender. The Pacers should be focused on the future.

Flipping Turner and Hield for two first-round picks improves their long-term outlook. Moving off of Turner feels particularly urgent at this point – the Pacers have a glut of bigs with the younger Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith on the roster.

Meanwhile, this is likely the best package the Lakers can get for Westbrook and picks. A frontcourt duo of Myles Turner and Anthony Davis is terrifying on defense and helps the Lakers maintain five-out spacing on the other end.

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Furthermore, Buddy Hield is exactly the type of floor spacer the Lakers should want alongside James: In fact, they almost acquired him last summer. It’s safe to assume they’re well aware of how much he could benefit them.