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

Why the Utah Jazz could make this Russell Westbrook trade:

This is the more compelling side of the argument because at the end of the day, it is the Lakers that have to do the convincing in this trade. Los Angeles is trading away a player that has no real value in the league and needs to entice a team to take him on.

This is an enticing package for the Jazz for multiple reasons. First is simply the fact that Utah is blowing it up and this helps them get closer to their tanking goals of going for Victor Wembanyana. Whether Westbrook is bought out or is simply told to stay home, this makes the Jazz worse.

It also gives the team a first-round pick in five years that could be of value if the Lakers continue to screw things up. Danny Ainge is all about acquiring assets and this is acquiring an asset for a great price.

The third, and perhaps most compelling, reason is Mike Conley. Conley has taken a step back and while Utah is taking on more money this season in this trade (they can actually save money or break even with a buyout), they are saving in the long run.

Conley has another year under contract with Utah and with how he played last season, not many teams are going to be lining up for him. He still has value as a player but not for $22.6 million this year.

3 teams that could sign Russell Westbrook if Lakers trade him

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to trade Russell Westbrook this season, which will lead to a buyout. But which team would then sign him in free agency?

That is a bargain for the Lakers, who can get off Westbrook and hope Conley works out. If he doesn’t, the silver lining is that his deal next year is not fully guaranteed. He does still have $14.3 million guaranteed, though.