Lakers could offer this Russell Westbrook trade to Jazz after latest rumors

By Jason Reed | Aug 1, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug after the game at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Why the Los Angeles Lakers could make this Russell Westbrook trade:

The most obvious reason is why the Lakers want to trade Russell Westbrook to begin with. Los Angeles is better off without him on the roster and being able to move him in any capacity is going to increase the team’s chances next season as a result.

But why this package with the Utah Jazz? A package for Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly better but there are no guarantees that LA would even be able to pull that off. The package with Indiana nets a better return but costs more as well.

This is a route for the Lakers to take if the Kyrie situation falls through and the team does not want to trade a second first-round pick. A trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner is going to take two first-round picks. This trade would undoubtedly only take one.

Los Angeles would replace Westbrook with Mike Conley, who is definitely on the downswing of his career but should at least be more willing to take a lesser role and not actively make his teammates worse.

Meanwhile, Bogdanovic is a good role player that can knock down shots and give the Lakers a tangible scoring option, whether it be in the starting five or off the bench. Bogdanovic is a 39.3% three-point shooter, making him by far the best shooter on the Lakers if the is traded.

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