A source told Bleacher Report’s Brian Boyles that there is a real possibility of a superstar team up in Los Angeles down the road.
Remember when Stephen A. Smtih predicted that Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN LA’s Mason and Ireland Show? For those keeping track, neither Westbrook or Durant play for the Lakers. The chances either one of the two ever dawn the Purple and Gold? Slim.
Durant just signed a two-year, $54 million contract with the Golden State Warriors and has no intention of testing free agency again anytime soon, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick:
Durant: "I plan on being here. I don't want to go through that again."
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 7, 2016
Meanwhile, Westbrook signed an $85 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder that keeps him with the team through the 2018-19 season.
Surely rumors involving the former dynamic duo will calm down, right? Since there is no logical reason for why Westbrook or Durant leave their respective teams, right? Wrong!
According to Bleacher Report’s Brian Boyles, Westbrook is already planning for the future, and another superstar could join him.
"Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Media Group, the same agency that represents Russell Westbrook, is Davis’ agent. A source close to Davis’ agent floated the possibility that the end game could find the two uniting in Los Angeles with the talent-starved Lakers.More from Lake Show LifeDarvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason openerIs LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors updateCan Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praiseMichael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated"
Sound crazy? It is; like mad scientist crazy. Westbrook isn’t a free agent until the summer of 2019, making it extremely difficult for the Lakers to trade for the former UCLA product, especially with the $28 million he’s making annually. Anthony Davis’ situation in New Orleans is no more promising.
Davis signed a five-year $145 million contract extension with the Pels that just kicked in this year. He won’t get a taste of unrestricted free agency until 2021, which doesn’t even sound like a real year. Unless he demands a trade from NOLA, the front office isn’t going to be in a hurry to send him to Los Angeles.
Yes, Westbrook and Davis would rival the Shaq and Kobe little/big combo for the greatest in Lakers history, but your best chances of seeing the two in Purple and Gold would be on NBA 2K.
The Lakers have a nucleus of young players they’re hoping can be the next generation of superstars. Whatever moves they make going forward will be to complement them, rather than replace them.
If Westbrook or Davis become available in the near future, Mitch Kupchak will do his due diligence and make calls for the young All-Stars, but anyone holding their breath for this mega deal should let it out.
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But what do you guys think? Are Westbrook and Davis really going to team up in Los Angeles? Are you more likely to get struck by lightning tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below!