4 trades to finally end the Russell Westbrook era in Los Angeles
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Loading... - Harriet Evans
- 28 Oct 2022
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What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Well, the Los Angeles Lakers are apparently looking to solve the riddle.
Four games (and four losses) into the 2022-23 NBA season and Russell Westbrook has still yet to be traded. After an offseason full of rumors, trade proposals, and options, Westbrook is still a Laker, and nothing has changed.
If anything, Los Angeles’ shooting has gotten worse, as both Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk are no longer on the squad. With Matt Ryan as the only true shooter on the team, the Lakers’ offense has been exposed time and time again.
Rob Pelinka reportedly plans on waiting at least 20 games before re-opening discussions on potential Westbrook deals, but fans aren’t all too pleased with that idea. Their 0-4 record could quickly turn to 0-5, 0-6, and so on, and since the New Orleans Pelicans own the right to swap draft picks with the Lakers, tanking for Victor Wembanayama isn’t an option.
But that leaves one important question - what Westbrook trades would be available for the Lakers?
The teams that have been frequently mentioned are the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs. And according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Pelinka has been pitching “two, three and four-team trade packages throughout the summer and fall.”
So, with that in mind, what are some potential deals Lakers fans can halfheartedly look forward to?
Russell Westbrook trade idea for the Indiana Pacers
Pacers get: Russell Westbrook, 2027 1st; Lakers get: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner
Old faithful. Until Westbrook gets traded, this deal will be brought up time and time again. However, if the Pacers start winning too many games, that’s where the Lakers could look to swoop in.
Indiana is one of the teams that should be looking to tank for Wembanyama, and because of that, having Hield and Turner could be a detriment to their ultimate goal. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, if they have one too many marks in the win column, accepting a package with only one of LA’s two firsts could be worth it. Read More…
