Lakers trade:
Danny Green
Kyle Kuzma
Talen Horton-Tucker
Pacers trade:
Victor Oladipo
Goga Bitadze
J.R. Smith’s contract kind of mucks up the trade machine, but this offseason this trade will be possible (once Smith’s contract expires).
Danny Green is a solid player but has been wildly inconsistent this season, especially in the NBA bubble. Kyle Kuzma has been the Lakers’ third-best player at most times, but a healthy Oladipo would be a surefire way to upgrade the lineup.
The Pacers would have to part with their first-round pick, Goga Bitadze, but Kuzma has much more value than a rookie center who barely played all season. Kuzma is already making a huge impact on a team in the conference finals. The Lakers also throw in Talen Horton-Tucker, who is a second-round pick but has shown promise at points this season.
This trade is possible, but I wouldn’t put money on it happening. The Lakers would essentially be giving away their last good trade piece, Kuzma, for the hope of getting a healthy Oladipo. That is too risky at this point given we don’t know what form Oladipo will be in next season. If all went right for the Lakers, they’d have a better team, but if it all went wrong it would be disastrous.