While all signs are pointing to the Los Angeles Lakers inevitably trading for Kyrie Irving, the purple and gold cannot bank on that being the team’s only option to get Russell Westbrook off the roster. There has to be a backup plan not just to execute in case they don’t get Irving, but to use as leverage to get Irving at a cheaper price.
The Indiana Pacers were a team that was connected to the Lakers and with the Phoenix Suns matching Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet from Indiana, the team could be a candidate again.
Another possible trade partner for the Lakers is the Utah Jazz. Utah is listening to offers for superstar Donovan Mitchell as the team blows it up for draft picks this summer. Not only is Mitchell available, but so is every veteran player. Thus, the Lakers could look to dump Westbrook’s salary to Utah to get contracts in return.
The trade that could get Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz:
There is a lot going on in this package and the initial response from both fanbases when they see a trade like this is typically visceral. Lakers fans probably don’t want to make a trade that does not have a star in return while Utah fans don’t want to see Westbrook on their team.
However, at the end of the day, this trade package makes sense for both parties involved. In the following pages, we will explain why both the Lakers and the Jazz should say yes to this potential Russell Westbrook trade.