The Los Angeles Lakers have been in trade rumors more than any other team in the sport. Ever since the 2021-22 season ended the biggest storyline surrounding the team has been whether or not they would be able to trade Russell Westbrook.
Now, over a month into the 2022-23 season, it seems pretty unlikely that the Lakers will trade Westbrook. In fact, it looks like the Lakers are gearing up to make a different kind of trade, even if it does not make a lot of sense.
However, as we have all learned with the NBA, things can change very quickly and trade opportunities can come out of thin air. Disappointing teams could try to reset and look towards the 2023 NBA Draft and the unicorn that is Victor Wembanyama at the top of that draft.
That is what Bill Simmons thinks that the Chicago Bulls should do. On the latest episode of ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast‘, the Boston native breaks down three trades that could save Chicago, including a deal with the Lakers for none other than Russell Westbrook.
Hey Chicago… it’s time…pic.twitter.com/xykaIvVPwp
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 30, 2022
DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic for Westbrook and the two future first-round picks, one of which gets protections on it? Sign us up.
Is this Bulls trade realistic for the Lakers?
While it looks great on paper for the Los Angeles Lakers, the fact of the matter is that it would likely never happen. This entire idea is based on the thought that Chicago would be better off tanking this season to try and get Wembanyama.
To be fair, Simmons makes a good point that Jerry Reinsdorf is a cheap owner and it would not be totally shocking to see him make this kind of flash sale with the results not being what fans were expecting this season.
That being said, it is not like the Bulls have been a disaster thus far this season. Chicago is 9-12 this season with the hardest strength of schedule in the entire league. They are still only three games out of being a top-four team in the Eastern Conference. It might be ugly but the season is far from over.
Plus, Chicago’s pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is top-four protected. If it does not land in the top four, it goes to the Magic. It would be a big risk to try and tank for a top pick knowing that if you end up with pick five or six you won’t get the pick at all.
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Maybe if things continue to bottom out and Chicago is in a really bad spot at the deadline they would consider it. But by then, the Lakers might not even have a reason to trade Westbrook if they are so far down in the standings.