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Lakers: 3 teams who could become new Russell Westbrook trade partners

By Jason Reed

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic during a game at Amway Center on January 21, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic during a game at Amway Center on January 21, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

3. Brooklyn Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers may not have been able to pull off a Kyrie Irving trade this offseason but that does not mean that a trade is completely out of the picture in the future. Perhaps this is why the Lakers are hesitant to do a deal now as they might believe that there is potential for a trade with the Nets in February.

Kevin Durant committed to the Brooklyn Nets to run it back with Kyrie and Ben Simmons in the 2022-23 season. While KD may have committed to that now, there is no guarantee that this group finishes the season with each other.

The Nets have been the biggest circus in the league and Kyrie being on the market at midseason is absolutely on the table. Just like this summer, the Nets are not going to have many suitors for Irving with the Lakers being the one team that pushes to make a deal happen.

Brooklyn could get one or two valuable draft picks from the Lakers for Irving, something they would not get from any other team. As far as Westbrook is concerned, the two sides could try and work a third team into the mix that can take on the contract and send other role players to Brooklyn.

Or, if things get really bad, the Nets might be in a position to punt on the 2022-23 season and could trade for Westbrook with the intention of buying him out.

This trade would have an additional benefit for the Lakers as well as it would give the team an avenue to offer Kyrie a new contract after this season instead of asking him to potentially take a discount as an unrestricted free agent.

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