3 players the Los Angeles Lakers must target in a Russell Westbrook trade

Jan 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook trade
Jan 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon (7) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Stanley Johnson (14) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena, 3 players the Los Angeles Lakers must target in a Russell Westbrook trade. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3 players the Los Angeles Lakers must target in a Russell Westbrook trade: Malcolm Brogdon

In addition to the Charlotte Hornets, another surprise team that may have some interest in a deal for Westbrook is the Indiana Pacers. As first reported by The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania (subscription required), rival executives believe the Pacers could emerge as a suitor, although any deal will not be without its challenges. If the Pacers are serious about a move, LA must make a run at former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.

Charania added in his reporting that rival NBA executives expect the Pacers to be open to trading veteran players such as Brogdon, which should interest the Lakers. Like Rozier, Brogdon would be a better fit than Westbrook immediately.

The two-guard is a career 37.6 percent three-point shooter on 4.2 attempts per contest, and his reliability from the perimeter would work wonders alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of this LA roster.

That’s without mentioning how much Brogdon has improved as a scorer over his last three years with the Pacers, averaging 18.9 points per game. With solid shooting and scoring like that, Brogdon could be the ideal third-star for Los Angeles.

The most prominent concern with Brogdon is his health, as he has played just 146 regular-season games over the past three seasons due to various injuries. That could potentially turn Los Angeles off when assessing potential trade options, given how much other injuries have factored into their last two seasons, but there is no questioning that Brogdon could be the perfect complementary fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis when healthy. If Brogdon is indeed on the table in any Westbrook trade with the Pacers, the Lakers should kick the tires on acquiring him.