In a bold offseason pivot, a proposed Lakers swap would send Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber to Phoenix for Dillon Brooks. Brooks would slot in as a versatile 3-and- D wing, delivering upgrade-level defense on the perimeter and a punch of veteran intensity off the bench. LeBron James would pair with him in a chase for a title, while Brooks’ combination of size and aggression could unlock better lineups with James and AD. The trade would trim about $1.3 million in real salary, potentially freeing a veteran-minimum flyer later in the season. It’s a high-reward, calculated risk that hinges on Brooks channeling his temper into controlled aggression and improving the Lakers’ closing-gear defense.

Brooks’ fit is nuanced: he can guard multiple wings, knock down a 3 when asked, and function as a secondary creator in spurts. The Suns would gain cap flexibility and a guard who can space the floor around Devin Booker, while Kleber provides floor spacing and rim protection if he returns to form. The Lakers would still need to manage Brooks’ foul-prone tendencies and ensure he stays within the team’s structure as a reserve, not a self-sabotaging catalyst. The calculus: championship upside vs. risk management in a league that rewards playoff packs of defense and shooting.