Lakers: Ranking 3 potential Russell Westbrook trades without Kyrie Irving
By Jason Reed
The best thing the Los Angeles Lakers can do this offseason is trade Russell Westbrook and it is clear that the team is exploring every option it can. Trading for Kyrie Irving is the best move the team can make but as more time as gone on, that potential trade has seemed less and less likely.
There are other potential plan B options for the Lakers, although the team might have to send more draft capital in these plan B options than they want. However, if the team is truly committed to contending this season, they have to make something happen.
But what would be the best route for the Lakers to go down? Based on different rumors and things we have heard about the potential Westbrook trade market, we can rank which trade would be the best for LA.
Ranking 3 potential Los Angeles Lakers trades that get rid of Russell Westbrook:
3. Straight up with the Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are a team that is reportedly interested in taking on Russell Westbrook if they get compensated with draft capital. This makes sense as Utah is entering a new era where they are going to tank for a top pick and collect assets to rebuild for the future.
The most likely package with just the Jazz involved would see Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic go to the Lakers for Westbrook and an unprotected first-round pick. The return here is not great for the Lakers but they still get better as a result.
Conley’s value is at an all-time low and his contract is a bit pricey for how he plays but it is still less than half of Westbrook’s. Conley does have one more year under contract with only $14.3 million guaranteed next year, so the Lakers could get out of it if they wanted.
Bogdanovic is a solid role player that would add a nice scoring presence to the Lakers on an expiring contract. It definitely is better than just keeping Westbrook but LA could do better.