A 4-team trade package the Lakers should facilitate after Durant news
By Jason Reed
Why the other teams should say yes to this trade:
New York Knicks:
It is really quite simple for the New York Knicks. They are getting Donovan Mitchell in this trade and this is a franchise that has had no drawing power in free agency. This is a hefty price, sure, but we just saw Rudy Gobert go for a ridiculously high price as well.
If the Knicks are serious about wanting Mitchell then they make this trade and loop in whatever teams it takes to make it happen. If they are not serious about Mitchell then this trade never leaves the cutting room floor. That simple.
Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers are probably the team that has to be convinced the most in this trade as they are not really gaining all that much and instead are helping facilitate the deal. That being said, there is still value in this trade for Indiana.
Myles Turner has been on the trade market for years now and it is clear that his price is not that great. This is probably better than the Pacers can do on the actual market as Bojan Bogdanovic is a legitimate asset.
The Pacers are not concerned with winning this season but they get a nice player in Bogdanovic that they could absolutely flip for a protected first-round pick at the deadline to a contender who needs a shooter. Thus, for Turner, the Pacers could end up getting a first-round pick and two seconds.
Utah Jazz:
If the Jazz are serious about trading Mitchell then this is the way to go. They are going to get a surplus of draft picks from the Knicks regardless but from a financial standpoint, this is much better than taking on the contracts that the Knicks have to offer.
Utah should only be interested in expiring contracts and Russell Westbrook helps in that regard. Not only are the Jazz getting a better contract in the grand scheme of things, but they are getting even more assets from the Lakers by taking that contract on.
It is a win-win for the Knicks, who get a boatload of picks, salary-cap space after this season and two young players in Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley to instantly start developing.