Trade details
Pacers acquire
Talen Horton-Tucker
Lakers acquire
2023 BOS 1st round pick
Sign FA Dennis Schroder to a 1-yr, vet min contract
Why do the Lakers trade THT?
Talen Horton-Tucker is an awful fit on the Lakers, and they have no need for his services at this point. With how much he is being paid, dumping his contract to a rebuilding team for a late first isn't an awful idea.
The signings of guys like Lonnie Walker, Troy Brown Jr, Juan Toscano-Anderson, the draft pick of Max Christie and the emergence of Austin Reaves allows the Lakers to make THT available as he doesn't really have a realistic role on this team that is trying to compete right now.
Why do the Pacers trade for THT?
The Pacers, who are rebuilding, take a flyer on a guy that will have an increased role in Indy and would fit pretty well next to their young players with Haliburton, Duarte, Mathurin, and more. The Pacers only have to give up the Celtics first, which will be in the late 20s more than likely, so this would be a low-risk/potentially high-reward trade for Indiana.
Why do the Lakers sign Dennis Schroder?
The Lakers need PG depth right now, as Russ looks washed and out of rhythm in LA, he doesn't fit with LeBron and AD at all, he's too arrogant to find a proper role on this team, and I could go on and on with Russ on the Lakers.
Schroder was already on the Lakers just 2 seasons ago, and he can bring value to the Lakers in ways that Russ can't with under-control playmaking, good shooting splits, and previous chemistry with the team.
Kendrick Nunn still has yet to be cleared to run 5-on-5 drills with the Lakers, so it's looking more and more like a wash for Kendrick Nunn in Los Angeles. In this case, Schroder would fill in as the backup PG and as the 6th man that can lead the Lakers second unit.
By any chance the Lakers choose to buyout Russell Westbrook, Schroder could slide right into the starting lineup and play PG for the Lakers. This could happen if they can't find a trade for Russ, and LeBron gets so fed up with playing with Russ that this leaves the Lakers no choice but to buy him out. Schroder would be an insurance policy in case a situation like this arises.
Lakers starting lineup
PG Russell Westbrook
SG Austin Reaves
SF LeBron James
PF Anthony Davis
C Damian Jones
Lakers bench
PG Dennis Schroder
SG Lonnie Walker IV
SF Troy Brown Jr
PF Stanley Johnson
C Thomas Bryant