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Lakers can dump Russell Westbrook to Utah Jazz with this trade package

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Why the Los Angeles Lakers should say yes to this Russell Westbrook trade:

It goes without saying but the main reason why the Lakers should say yes is that it gets Westbrook off the team. Los Angeles is actually better off next season if Westbrook simply does not play. If they can turn that into actual rotation players in return then that would be great for the team.

While this does not get Kyrie Irving in return, it does give the Lakers more depth and more monetary flexibility in the future. Most importantly, it only includes the Lakers sending one draft pick.

Mike Conley might not be a great asset at this point in his career but he is someone who can succeed without the basketball in his hands, unlike Westbrook. Conley does not need a high usage rate to be happy and more importantly, he makes half of what Westbrook does. He is under contract for another season but it is partially guaranteed. If things get too bad, the Lakers could float that partially guaranteed expiring in trade packages next summer.

Jordan Clarkson is a fantastic scoring role player that is also a Klutch client, so there probably is some desire there to return to Los Angeles. Clarkson isn’t the best defender and he does have two more years left on his deal. His trade value is not that high as a result.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is thrown in to make the money work and he could be someone who the Lakers get their hands on and develop. He has not shown anything special thus far in his career but he is only 23 years old.

The Lakers need to keep a roster spot open for Cole Swider so they send back Kendrick Nunn and Wenyen Gabriel to keep the number the same. Swider will replace Gabriel in the rotation and Clarkson will replace Nunn.

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