The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a sluggish start this season and while Russell Westbrook has looked better coming off of the bench, the best version of this team this season is still one that does not have Westbrook on the roster.
For the most part, fans are familiar with all of the potential trades that could happen. A deal with the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield is the most talked-about potential trade but there are other options with teams such as the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs.
Of course, as is always true with the NBA, things can quickly evolve and a new potential trade partner can emerge for Westbrook. If a certain team struggles and wants to move on from an asset, the Lakers could jump in and offer Westbrook and their future first-round picks.
An interesting potential trade candidate for the Lakers in the future is their NorCal rivals, the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento is also off to a slow start and with other promising guards on the roster, it is worth questioning if the team will consider moving De’Aaron Fox. Bill Simmons certainly thinks it is possible and raises an interesting trade proposal to ponder.
Answer: Sac says no unless the 2027/2029 firsts are on the table unprotected.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 1, 2022
My take: I’d actually trade Fox for Russ + those 2 Lakers firsts. I’m getting 2023 cap space + two massive assets from a poorly run team, plus more Mitchell mins… I’m just in a better spot long-term.
Breaking down a potential Russell Westbrook trade between the Kings and Lakers:
Simmons is 100% correct in his assessment. While the Kings might be stubborn and not want to move Fox because they committed to him over Tyrese Haliburton (bad move!), it might be better for the long-term prospects of the franchise to move on from Fox.
Fox is talented, there is no denying that. But he has proven that he cannot be the franchise guy that Sacramento has wanted him to be. With three more years under contract and a cap hit of over $30 million in each year, the Kings could open up a lot of future salary-cap space to build around its current core while also getting valuable assets from the Lakers.
It might not be a good look if the Kings don’t believe in Fox as a franchise guy anymore but the Lakers would not be asking him to be a franchise guy. He would be the third-best player on this team and would be the team’s third scorer.
Fox has struggled from beyond the arc in his NBA career but has shown stretches where he can be a solid shooter. With LeBron James facilitating, Fox can get better floor spacing and realize his shooting ceiling.
To make the trade happen, the Kings would have to throw another contract with Fox. Richaun Holmes has the perfect contract to throw in the deal but the Lakers could even ask for more. Since the Lakers are providing salary-cap relief AND trading two first-round picks, it is not absurd to ask for Harrison Barnes’ expiring to be thrown in the deal as well.
3 former Lakers from last year’s team that are floundering this season
The Los Angeles Lakers lost some big-name players this offseason but the team has not missed them as they are floundering this season.
That works under the cap rules, even with the Lakers taking on slightly more money.