Lake Show Life
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Lakers: Fact or fiction on 6 potential Russell Westbrook trade packages

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Swapping Russell Westbrook for two multi-year contracts

This is a trade package that has circled the internet in recent days and it makes absolutely no sense. Shams Charania of The Athletic first brought up the possibility of the Indiana Pacers potentially trading for Westbrook, naming Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield as two contracts they would want to get off of.

If a Westbrook trade for Brogdon and Hield sounds too good to be true that is because it is. This trade makes absolutely no sense for the Pacers, even if they are in a position where they are looking to pick up as many assets as possible.

The first-round pick five years in the future is not enough for the Pacers to warrant trading Brogdon and Hield for Westbrook. It especially doesn’t make sense when their contracts are not even that bad.

Brogdon just signed an extension before the season and is making under $23 million per year. For a player of his caliber that is an absolute steal. Hield’s cap hit next season is $21.1 million and is goes down the following year, which is the last of his deal.

Brogdon is the team’s best player and Hield is someone who they could get something for from a desperate contending team that needs a shooter. This package makes absolutely no sense for Indiana and if they did want to trade either of these two (or both) they could get significantly more than Westbrook, who they would probably buy out anyway!

Verdict: Fiction 

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