☑️ LeBron James re-signing
☑️ Trading away Talen Horton-Tucker (youth)
☑️ Brought in Patrick Beverley (point guard replacement)
All these signs point to a win now move by the Lakers front office.
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Lakers: Myles Turner, Buddy Hield
Pacers: Russell Westbrook (immediately waived), Austin Reaves, 2027 Lakers 1st round pick, 2029 Lakers 1st round pick.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Beverley
Hield
James
Davis
Turner
Walkers IV, Thomas, Nunn, Toscano-Anderson
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Why would the Indiana Pacers do this trade? The same reason the Spurs & Jazz are trading away their prime talent for future assets, the 2023 NBA draft.
All three are small market franchises who struggle to bring in star free agents.
Obviously Victor Wembanyama is the jewel of the upcoming draft, but let’s not forget guys like Scoot Henderson, Nick Smith Jr. & Dariq Whitehead.