Basically finalized? The Lakers may be brewing a three-way deal to send Wilson away and get Miles Turner, Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon.
Today, the Lakers' record has improved to 3-10, and the poor start has left management in crisis. Maybe the quality of offense and defense can be solved through trades. The Lakers' biggest problem right now is 3-point shooting because the team doesn't have good enough outside players.
Speaking of trades, according to the Los Angeles Times reporter, the Lakers are brewing a deal to find veterans who can play a role around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers are negotiating a potential three-way deal, with the Rockets and Pacers becoming trade partners for the Lakers. The main contents are as follows:
1. The Lakers get: Miles Turner, Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon
2. The Rockets obtained: Osha Brisett, Max Christie, 2025 first-round pick (provided by the Pacers), 2023 second-round pick (provided by the Lakers)
3. Pacers gains: Russell Westbrook, Austin Reeves, 2027 first-round pick (provided by the Lakers), 2029 first-round pick
In this three-way deal, each of the three teams takes what they need, which is the main reason why this deal could happen in the future, and why each team is willing to accept the price offered by the other team.
The deal brings the Lakers three quality veterans, two outside sharpshooters, and a center with three-point shooting ability. The Lakers will quickly become a team with the strength to make the playoffs.
Buddy Hield is an excellent three-point shooter, and his combination with LeBron James will be one of the best partners in history. Miles Turner is shooting 37.0 percent from the field from 3-point range this year and is averaging 3.1 blocks per game. He is a very valuable player and can be a protector of the basket.
Both veterans will help make the Lakers a better team. The frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Miles Turner will prevent most opponents from rushing into the box, and Turner will certainly fit into Hamm's defensive system.
Plus, the Lakers will have to give up two valuable first-round picks, and it's comforting to know that the Lakers were able to get Rockets' three-point shooter Eric Gordon. Because he's a sharpshooter with a lot of experience in the playoffs. Perhaps Eric Gordon could replace Westbrook as the leader on the bench.
The deal is definitely a great value for money for the Lakers. Getting three veterans can instantly become a championship-strong team, and at the very least, those three veterans can help make the Lakers a good playoff team. From the perspective of the Lakers' winning, it's a no-brainer.
The deal allowed the Rockets to dump veteran Eric Gordon and give up playing time to some young players. Last year, the Rockets wanted to try to trade Eric Gordon. No team is willing to offer the Rockets a first-round pick in the offseason. However, the deal will give the Rockets a first-round pick, as well as some promising young players.
While Osha Brissett and Max Christie are not the most promising players, they are both strikers who may provide a defensive role on the wing. Osha Brissett is not strong offensively, and he averaged 2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game with the Pacers.
Eric Gordon's current salary is about $19.6 million, and the Rockets will save about $17.7 million after the deal closes. Max Christie and Osha Brisett can only be on the bench, but their salaries are cheap and can help the Rockets expand their salary space even further.
In addition, the Rockets can also get a first-round pick from the Pacers. Although this draft pick may not be of great value, it is still a good return, and for the Rockets, the deal is just about saving money and getting a pick. It's a straightforward deal that benefits both the Rockets and Eric Gordon for sending Gordon to a playoff team with two superstar players. You can also see the feelings of the Rockets, just like when Tucker was sent to the Bucks to win the championship.
The Pacers accepted Russell Westbrook's expiring contract in favor of future rebuilds. As we all know, the Pacers are currently a team that is rebuilding, trading veterans for draft picks, which will help the Pacers' future. As a result, the team has always wanted to dump Buddy Hield and Miles Turner.
The Lakers have reportedly been reluctant to trade two valuable first-round picks for Miles Turner and Buddy Hield. However, if the Pacers are willing to pull the Rockets into a trade and help the Lakers acquire another great veteran, Eric Gordon, then the Lakers may choose to trade.
The Pacers' 2025 first-round pick may not be as valuable, so sending the pick to the Rockets in exchange for the Lakers' two valuable picks is a good option for the Pacers.
In addition to the draft pick they get, the Pacers must accept Russell Westbrook's contract. The team will likely buy him out, as he could affect the development of Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin. If he chooses not to buy out, Westbrook is likely to be an important force on the bench, playing the role of sixth man on the team.
Austin Reeves is also a good choice for the Pacers as he is a young player who fits into the team's rebuild schedule. He will give the Pacers some roster depth up front, while Reeves is an omnipotent player as a role player who can defend, shoot, and handle the ball. Although he is not a star-level player, he is a good player and the contract amount is not high.
Overall, it's a deal that helps all three teams. The deal brings all three teams closer to their goals, and with clear benefits for each, the deal is expected to happen soon.
