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Could the Lakers pull off a surprise Russell Westbrook trade?

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Very surprising news hit the NBA world on Thursday as the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Utah Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell. The New York Knicks were heavily rumored to be in the market for Mitchell (with the Los Angeles Lakers being involved as a potential third team) and the Cavaliers were not discussed much, if at all, as a potential trade destination.

Without a doubt, this trade was a surprise and it was a surprise to Lakers fans who thought Westbrook would be going to Utah with various contracts coming back to the Lakers. Now there is no more potential of a three-team trade that involves Westbrook.

However, this was a nice reminder that sometimes surprises can happen and trades that occur aren’t always splattered across the media. With the Lakers having one less potential Westbrook destination, that raises the question:

Can the Los Angeles Lakers pull off a surprise Russell Westbrook trade?

While it is a lot harder to trade Russell Westbrook, there is potential for the Lakers to make a deal that none of us saw coming. To be fair, the Westbrook possibilities have been beaten into the ground, but these specific destinations have not been on the rumor mill for quite some time now.

As far as we are concerned, there are three potential teams that the Lakers could pull off a surprise Westbrook trade with.

1. Utah Jazz

Just because the Jazz traded Mitchell does not mean that a Westbrook trade is completely off the table for them. Jazz President Danny Ainge covets the Lakers’ draft picks and if they can turn around and add one or two picks from LA that would be a massive win.

There are two potential avenues the Lakers could go down in a trade with the Jazz. Neither of which necessarily are the most exciting but they would get Westbrook out of LA and at the end of the day, that would still be a win.

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