Why The Lakers Do This:
Offload Russ without having to give up 2 first round picks
Pick up 2 ideal roster fits and get under the luxury tax
Clear log jam at the Point Guard position for wing depth
Lakers Possible Depth Chart:
PG: Schroder / Nunn
SG: Hield / Beverley / Walker IV / Christie
SF: James / Reaves / Brown Jr.
PF: Crowder / Toscano-Anderson
C: Davis / Jones / Bryant
Why The Pacers Do This:
Take on Westbrook’s $47M expiring deal for a valuable 1st RP
Offload Hield & Theis’ multi-year contracts to contenders
Clear a ton of cap space next offseason and can tank this year
Pacers Possible Depth Chart:
PG: Haliburton / McConnell / Nembhardt
SG: Mathurin / Nesmith / Galloway
SF: Duarte / Brissett / Taylor
PF: Smith / Jackson
C: Turner / Bitadze
Why The Suns Do This:
Find a suitor for Jae Crowder who has requested a trade
Pickup 2 guys who play hard and won’t demand a starting role
Opens up the starting power forward spot for Cam Johnson
Suns Possible Depth Chart:
PG: Paul / Payne / Washington Jr.
SG: Booker / Shamet / Lee
SF: Bridges / Craig / Okogie
PF: Johnson / Theis / Gabriel
C: Ayton / Saric / Biyombo