How This Trade Impacts Los Angeles Lakers
One of the things the Los Angeles Lakers want to do heading into the season adds another wing player to their rotation. If they cannot find one that fits what they need, a trade for Dillon Brooks down the road could be an option.
In this hypothetical deal, they would have to wait until March to complete the deal as Talen Horton-Tucker, one of the players involved in the deal, cannot be traded until then because of the contract he signed. Another one of the team’s signings this offseason, Kendrick Nunn, would be included in the deal.
While Horton-Tucker has a higher ceiling, Brooks is better equipped to help the team win now. He is a tenacious defender and someone the team can rely on as a complementary scoring option.
Brooks averaged a career-high 17.2 points per game last season. It was inefficient at times, but playing a more complementary role with an improved supporting cast should help that. He also showed that he could perform when the lights are brightest, as he stepped his game up in a major way during the postseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Latest Intel Surrounding Ben Simmons Amid NBA Trade Rumors
There could be some issues in replacing Nunn, but the Lakers could use LeBron James more at point guard if need be. Replacing a point guard on the buyout market is a lot easier than finding a productive 3-and-D wing.
Ultimately, however, this is a trade that seems unlikely to occur. Horton-Tucker is someone that the franchise likes a lot, so it would be hard to imagine them trading him for Dillon Brooks when they would omit Horton-Tucker in trade talks for a Kyle Lowry.