Ranking the potential Russell Westbrook trade partners for Lakers

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1. Indiana Pacers

The best trade partner for the Los Angeles Lakers is the Indiana Pacers and then there is a massive gap before getting to the Knicks and Jazz. This is the trade that the Lakers should be pushing hard to make and they should not even hesitate to offer both future first-round picks in this deal.

The theorized trade for the Lakers is Buddy Hield and Myles Turner for Russell Westbrook and picks. There might be more players attached, like Daniel Theis, that way the Pacers can even out the money and get rid of a multi-year contract as well.

Theis should not be a point of contention for LA. Obviously, it would be better to not take on his contract but if the Lakers are trading for Buddy Hield they are not going to have the cap space to bring in Kyrie Irving next summer anyway.

It would be better for the Lakers to make this move rather than trade for bad expiring players in the hopes of getting Kyrie next year. At that rate, the team might as well just keep Westbrook and the draft picks and buy him out.

This gives the Lakers a starting five that could absolutely represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Buddy Hield is one of the most prominent three-point shooters in the league and would add a much-needed floor spacing dynamic.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans Pelicans won the game 116 - 108. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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Turner also adds a floor-spacing dynamic offensively while being a defensive anchor on the other end. In theory, Turner would be absolutely perfect for Anthony Davis, as it allows AD to play center offensively and power forward defensively. That is how to maximize AD’s elite skillset.

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