The NBA regular season is still well over a month away, but Los Angeles Lakers fans are already thinking about midseason wing trade targets. The name that Jovan Buha brought up on his podcast isn't one that fans thought they might hear, but it's possible, given his new team. Who is that player? None other than Dillon Brooks.
LeBron James and Brooks possibly playing on the same team? In Los Angeles? After everything that Brooks said and did during the 2023 playoffs when the Lakers played the Grizzlies? Clearly, it didn't bother LeBron, who made Brooks look silly. Still, it's hard to envision the two sharing the floor for the same team.
Buha said that "despite his hesitation" about what Brooks brings (or doesn't bring) offensively, he called Brooks "the closest thing" that the Lakers could get to a "real" two-way wing. Buha noted that Brooks has "bought into" his role offensively more since being traded from Memphis and that he has improved as a shooter. He also highlighted Brooks' defensive tenacity.
Buha predicted that Brooks' current team, the Suns, won't finish higher than 11th or 12th in the conference standings next season. He doesn't foresee a path for them that will result in a playoff berth, not even via the play-in tournament. That is very valid, considering Phoenix's situation.
Buha lists Dillon Brooks as a wing trade target for Lakers
Brooks ended up in the desert as part of the multi-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets. Mat Ishbia believes that Phoenix can contend for a title (a sign of delusion), but once he realizes that won't happen in the 2025-26 season, the Suns could be sellers at the deadline. Brooks can help a contender when he understands his role.
The 29-year-old has two seasons left on his current contract. He'll make $21.1 million this upcoming season and $19.9 million in the 2026-27 season.
Los Angeles has an open roster spot that won't be filled before the season. It can't be filled because the earliest they can sign a player to a minimum deal is January 18. Depending on the position that LA is in after Christmas/at the start of the new year, the Lakers could look to upgrade with a trade rather than make a smaller-scale signing.
Will Brooks be that player? Nobody knows yet. The only thing we know for sure is that the Suns won't be a threat next season.