The Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Indiana Pacers entered the 2021-22 season with dreams of making noise in the postseason. In the end, all three organizations missed the playoffs, disappointing their respective fan bases. The offseason is likely to bring changes.
- The Los Angeles Lakers Upgrade Their Backcourt Around LeBron James and Anthony Davis
- The Hornets Land A Top-Tier Rim Protector And A New Point Guard
- The Pacers Bring Home An Excellent Wing Along With Three Solid Rotation Pieces
- A 3-Team Trade That Helps All Parties Involved
- Next
- 3 Realistic Superteams The Los Angeles Lakers Can Create For The 2022-23 NBA Season
- Los Angeles Lakers’ Current Players’ Status For The 2022-23 NBA Season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis And Russell Westbrook Will Earn $129.5 Million Combined
- LeBron James’ Playoff Resume Is Incredible: The King Played In The 10 NBA Finals, Winning 4 NBA Championships
- 10 NBA Players Who Could Be Traded If Their Teams Disappoint During The Playoffs
- NBA MVP Award Winners From 2001 To 2010: LeBron James, Tim Duncan And Steve Nash All Won Back-To-Back Awards
The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason Big-3 ended up becoming a Big-1 throughout much of the season. Russell Westbrook fit on the Purple and Gold like a camel in a rainforest, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis both sustained injuries that sidelined them for extended stretches. The Lakers finished the season with a miserable 33-49 record, looking for a summer solution.
The Charlotte Hornets ended the regular season with a solid 43-39 record but lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in. The Hornets had the 9th ranked offense in 2021-22, but their defense lagged, hemorrhaging points nightly. Charlotte will have to remedy their woes on the less fun end during the offseason to become a genuine postseason squad.
It seems like a long time ago, but the Indiana Pacers began the 2021-22 season with high expectations. Vegas pegged them as an above .500 team with a 42.5 game over/under, higher than the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Raptors, and Hornets. The Pacers suffered through a variety of injuries and became sellers at the trade deadline, cementing their status as a lottery team. Indiana should deal their remaining mainstays during the summer as they look to create a future playoff team under head coach Rick Carlisle.
We recommend the Lakers, Hornets, and Pacers engage in a three-team trade this offseason in order to move each squad forward:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Terry Rozier
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Russell Westbrook, Myles Turner, 2027 First-Round Pick (via Lakers)
Indiana Pacers Receive: Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Montrezl Harrell (via sign and trade), Talen Horton-Tucker
The Lakers would upgrade their backcourt with Malcolm Brogdon and Terry Rozier while shipping out ill-fitting Russell Westbrook. Charlotte would bring in a genuine rim protector in Myles Turner while clearing their cap space for the summer of 2023. The Pacers would land two solid young players, P.J. Washington and Talen Horton-Tucker, along with solid veterans Montrezl Harrell and Gordon Hayward.
Below, we’ll outline the benefits of our three-team trade for the Lakers, Hornets, and Pacers.
The Los Angeles Lakers Upgrade Their Backcourt Around LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Terry Rozier, Malcolm Brogdon
Lakers Starting Lineup:
PG: Malcolm Brogdon
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: LeBron James
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Bismack Biyombo
It’s no secret the Los Angeles Lakers would like nothing more than to trade Russell Westbrook over the summer. He scoffed at playing off the ball next to LeBron James, refusing to set screens, cut hard to the basket, and swing the ball on the perimeter. Westbrook wasn’t the sole reason the Purple and Gold lost nearly 50 games in 2021-22, but his presence alone ensured the Lakers had next to no spacing on the floor and no point-of-attack defense.
The Lakers would bring in Malcolm Brogdon and Terry Rozier, two imperfect players, to help revamp their backcourt.
Malcolm Brogdon is a steady offensive point guard when he’s right. The problem is: He hasn’t been right very often over the previous two seasons, suiting up for a combined 92 games in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Brogdon’s constant injury woes would be a significant concern for a Lakers squad that ran out 727 unique five-man lineups during the regular season and had the chemistry of a pig and a lion trying to square dance together. The Purple and Gold are in need of stability. Despite the risks, they’d have no choice but to roll the dice with Brogdon and hope he stays healthy because outside of a few teams looking to clear cap space for the summer of 2023, it will be nearly impossible to trade Russell Westbrook’s massive $47 million player option for next season.
Malcolm Brogdon played in 36 regular season games for the Pacers, averaging 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.9 APG while connecting on only 31.2% of his attempts from deep. Brogdon’s poor three-point percentage in 2021-22 was probably a one-off. He has an excellent 37.6% career mark from deep and features a smooth jumper from deep. Malcolm Brogdon’s defense is the real concern. Dunks and Threes rated the Pacers point guard in the 51st percentile throughout the NBA in Defensive Plus/Minus during the regular season, and NBA.com’s Defensive Rating had him at 367th in the league. Brogdon has never played the type of intense and intuitive defense necessary to become elite on the less fun end, but the Lakers will need him to step it up and go from a weak head-of-the-snake defender to at least average.
Terry Rozier has been one of the most durable and explosive offensive weapons in the Eastern Conference over the past few seasons. He averaged 19.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 37.4 3P% for the Hornets during the regular season, using a quick first step to get by his defender creating space for a mid-range jumper or to attack the basket. Similar to Brogdon, Rozier’s defense is a worry. At 6-1, 190-pound, Rozier doesn’t have the prototypical size to lock down opposing wings, and he’d be a genuine weak link in the Lakers’ defense. Opposing squads would hunt Rozier on switches, capitalizing on his compact frame to wreak havoc on the Purple and Gold.
If the Lakers were to import Malcolm Brogdon and Terry Rozier, they’d be scary on offense. Brogdon, Rozier, James, and Davis would be impossible to stop. Still, their backcourt defense would be a problem. The Purple and Gold would have to find an excellent defensive center with next to no cash available. Hassan Whiteside would fit nicely on the Lakers. However, he played well this season in a backup role for the Jazz and will probably be out of the Purple and Gold’s price range. Bismack Biyombo could be an excellent option. After falling out of the league, the Phoenix Suns picked him up during the middle of the regular season, and he played well enough to become a part of their regular rotation. Bismack Biyombo and Anthony Davis would have to do their best Rudy Gobert impersonation, playing impassioned backline defense, covering up for Brogdon and Rozier’s perimeter breakdowns for the Lakers to have a chance.
If Anthony Davis and Malcolm Brogdon stay healthy throughout the 2021-22 season and Biyomobo and AD play flawless defense, the Lakers could become championship contenders next year.
The Hornets Land A Top-Tier Rim Protector And A New Point Guard
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Russell Westbrook, Myles Turner, 2027 First-Round Pick (via Lakers)
Hornets Starting Lineup:
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: LaMelo Ball
SF: Miles Bridges
PF: Kelly Oubre Jr.
C: Myles Turner
The rumor mill has picked up over the last couple of weeks, and many NBA executives believe there is a real chance the Hornets will trade for Russell Westbrook. Charlotte’s logic is simple: LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges form an excellent young core for the Hornets, but they’re one superstar away from becoming genuine title contenders in a suddenly deep Eastern Conference. If the Hornets were to part ways with Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, they’d be stuck with Russell Westbrook for one season. Then after his $47 million player option came off the books in the summer of 2023, they’d have enough cash to chase Khris Middleton (player option), Draymond Green (player option), Andrew Wiggins, D’Angelo Russell, or even Nikola Jokic.
Russell Westbrook is coming off a catastrophic season with the Lakers, and the thought of him in the backcourt next to LaMelo Ball probably has Charlotte diehards gripping their chairs and wiping sweat from their brows. Brodie could be a monumental problem for the Hornets in the starting backcourt. The last thing Michael Jordan and company want to do is stunt growing superstar LaMelo Ball’s development by asking him to play next to a player with one of the highest usage rates of the century. Still, Brodie’s 2021-22 season could be an outlier, a bizarre blend of random factors mixing into a disgusting stew. Russell Westbrook is a surefire Hall-of-Famer who’s only one year removed from averaging a triple-double for the Washington Wizards as he helped them make the playoffs in 2021. Brodie’s fit with the Hornets would be much better than the Lakers. He’d be surrounded by Ball, Bridges, Oubre Jr., and Turner, four above-average three-point shooters who would thrive off his top-5 drive and kick game. In addition, Westbrook’s Wizards teammates all raved about his attitude and reportedly loved playing with him.
Westbrook could be a boon for the Hornets, but if he flops during the first month of the season, Hornets management could give him the John Wall treatment and send him home to fret on the sofa as the NBA world continues without him.
Charlotte would also land Myles Turner in our proposed trade.
Charlotte lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament, giving up 132 points to Trae Young and company in a microcosm of the Hornets’ season. Charlotte needs to upgrade their 23rd ranked defense if they want to crack the top-8 in the Eastern Conference next year.
The Hornets had some of the worst rim protection in the NBA last season, allowing opposing squads to shoot 62.6% within five feet of the basket, which was 26th in the league. Myles Turner would solve many of their woes at the rack. He’s a two-time Blocks Champion who offers some of the best rim deterrence in the association.
Myles Turner’s impact would also be felt outside the lane. Charlotte’s perimeter defenders, aware of their non-existent backline defense, were consistently forced to take a step off their assignments by the arc throughout the 2021-22 season. They gave up a collective 36.2% three-point clip to opposing teams, a mark that was 22nd in the league. With Myles Turner in the fold, not only would he help stave off drives to the basket, but he’d also allow Westbrook, Ball, and Bridges to crowd their men on the perimeter, taking away easy outside attempts.
The addition of Myles Turner, a genuine defensive anchor, would have ancillary benefits throughout the Hornets’ defensive schemes. And Russell Westbrook could be more than a massive expiring contract.
Charlotte could see an uptick in their wins next season with negative defenders Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward gone, and Myles Turner supplying the type of rim protection they’ve been longing for. Success isn’t a certainty. The Hornets could struggle throughout 2022-23 with some of their depth sapped. Trade or no trade, they’re miles away from hanging a banner next year. As a result of our three-team deal, they’ll have the cash to chase a superstar after next season is over, giving them one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
The Pacers Bring Home An Excellent Wing Along With Three Solid Rotation Pieces
Indiana Pacers Receive: Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Montrezl Harrell (via sign and trade), Talen Horton-Tucker
Pacers Starting Lineup:
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Chris Duarte
PF: Gordon Hayward
C: P.J. Washington
The Indiana Pacers were a mess last season and a downright disaster after the All-Star break.
Here’s a breakdown:
The Pacers finished 5-17 after the All-Star break.
They had the second-worst defense in the league after the All-Star game (121.8).
After the NBA’s mid-season classic, Indiana ranked 26th in defensive rebound percentage (70.0) and was 18th in contested shots (51.0 per game).
The Indiana Pacers need a change. Getting Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, and Justin Holiday was a good start. Haliburton looks like an All-Star in the making, and Hield is one of the most proficient high-volume three-point shooters in the league.
Still, Pacers management needs to do more during the offseason, and Indiana fans must understand there are no easy fixes here. This will be at least a two-year project.
Indiana would be wise to trade the oft-injured duo of Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner while they still hold value around the league. A package centered around Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, and Talen Horton-Tucker isn’t a poor return for two players who’ve missed nearly half their available regular season games across the previous two years.
Gordon Hayward is far from a sure thing. He’s suffered through two injury-plagued years, suiting up for only 44 contests in 2020-21 and 49 games this season. When Hayward’s been available, he’s been a top-50 all-around player, averaging 15.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 39.1 3P% while playing passable defense.
Hayward would probably be the most valuable overall player on the Pacers next season, with Haliburton nipping at his heels. Gordon Hayward is an athlete more than capable of creating his own looks, spreading the floor with his three-point shot, and hitting open teammates with pinpoint swing passes.
The Pacers would also acquire P.J. Washington, a young center with a solid outside jumper who gives 100% when he’s on the floor. Washington is more than just an energizer with a decent three-point percentage. He’s a solid rim runner on pick and rolls who can also pop from mid-range. While the Hornets center isn’t a top-tier rim protector, Washington is not a slouch on defense. He finished the regular season with a +0.2 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, and Dunks and Threes rated him in the 67th percentile in Defensive +/- among all NBA players.
The Pacers would also land Talen Horton-Tucker, 21, a player dripping with potential despite his struggles in Hollywood, along with Montrezl Harrell, a 6-7 center who plays at 120% when he’s on the court but is five inches too short to offer legitimate two-way basketball.
If Pacers fans squint hard enough, the bones of a future playoff team are clear. Tyrese Haliburton can be the best player on a postseason squad, while Chris Duarte offers the ideal 3-and-D skill set every NBA organization craves. P.J. Washington is an upcoming center who could transform into a John Collins type of big man, capable of spreading the floor with his three-point shot and diving to the rack, consistently pressuring opposing defenses in the pick and roll. Talen Horton-Tucker has the most talent out of any player on the Pacers roster. He’s a 6-4 shooting guard with a massive seven-foot wingspan who has all the tools to become a top-20 defender and a plus-24 points per game scorer.
The Pacers will be too small and too inexperienced to make the postseason next year. However, if they draft well, add solid veteran depth, and their young players live up to their potential, they could find themselves in the playoffs as soon as 2024.
A 3-Team Trade That Helps All Parties Involved
Our trade would change all three teams in a positive way.
Terry Rozier’s outside touch makes him a better fit alongside LeBron James than Russell Westbrook. Malcolm Brogdon is an underrated point guard with an acute understanding of how to control the tempo of the offense. Brogdon would slide into the Lakers’ backcourt and instantly show an excellent feel for when to push the basketball or slow it down.
On the other side of the country, Michael Jordan would land a player, he said, who reminds him of himself in Westbrook. Brodie is a former MVP, who could be the leader of the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball, helping a young Charlotte team counter attack over aggressive defenders while offering instant offense with the ability to get pick up the pace and get out on the break.
The Pacers also make out well in our deal. Indiana would receive an excellent young player in Talen Horton-Tucker, and an underrated and underappreciated center in Montrezl Harrell. P.J. Washington would be a solid fit in the Pacers’ starting lineup as a floor-spreading small ball center. Gordon Hayward, when healthy, is a top-tier floor leader who’d have a calming effect on his inexperienced teammates. The Pacers could fight for a play-in spot as soon as next season.
