A 4-team Russell Westbrook trade that checks all the boxes for the Lakers
By Jason Reed
Why the Los Angeles Lakers could say yes to this Russell Westbrook trade:
If we are talking about the best possible return that is the best of both worlds for the Lakers then this is the trade. This is a trade package that brings actual talent in return to Los Angeles while keeping the team flexible as a result.
The best package to get just from one team is the Indiana package for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. This is an even better return than that as Bogdanovic could do more for the Lakers than Hield can do.
Both guys can shoot and score at a high clip for the Lakers and more importantly, Bogdanovic is a much better defender than Hield. Not only is the team getting the newfound floor spacing with Hield and Bogdanovic, but they would be getting better defensively as well.
Bogdanovic, Turner and even Cam Reddish (who has been connected to the Lakers) are all on expiring contracts this season. This gives the Lakers a much better supporting cast without locking into future money, as they would be with Hield. Rudy Gay does have one more year on his deal but the $6.4 million is not restricting.
LA sends out two first-round picks in this trade but that is pretty much a given at this point. The Lakers are likely not getting a deal for Westbrook done with less than two picks unless they take on worse contracts.