Overview
- Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale floated Brooks as a Lakers target in a mock trade piece, and no reporting indicates the team is actively pursuing him.
- DeMarcus Cousins and Lou Williams endorsed swapping Reaves for Brooks, while Chandler Parsons and Paul Pierce pushed back on the fit and value.
- Dillon Brooks carries a $21.12 million cap hit, and cap rules would force Los Angeles to send out roughly $16.9–$26.4 million in salary to make a legal trade.
- Potential matching frameworks cited include Rui Hachimura plus a smaller deal, an Austin Reaves package, or a Gabe Vincent–Jarred Vanderbilt combo.
- Suns willingness remains uncertain as Brooks is producing well for Phoenix, whereas the Lakers are expected to seek perimeter defense upgrades with Pelicans wings Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III viewed as difficult targets.