Lakers fans can officially punt on overly optimistic Russell Westbrook trade
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up and down season thus far. After an incredibly slow start, Los Angeles started to garner some momentum that had fans excited about the potential ceiling of this team.
However, once the schedule started to get more difficult the losses started to come again. One may say that the Lakers’ three-game losing streak is evidence as to why the team won’t trade Russell Westbrook this season.
This has not stopped the fanbase from dreaming, though. A theorized trade with the Chicago Bulls gained steam among the fanbase once it was reported that it was more than just a theory and was something that Los Angeles internally discussed. Could the Lakers actually trade Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic? Many fans thought so.
Unfortunately fotr many, it does not appear that this is possible for the Lakers. Despite the best efforts from optimistic fans to explain why the Bulls would make this trade, it does not appear that Chicago actually has any interest. Joe Cowley of Chiago Sun Times broke down the Lakers rumors and essentially killed them in the process.
"“So while the Lakers might be looking to make a big trade and have their eyes on the Bulls’ roster, the feeling isn’t mutual. According to a source, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has no interest in acquiring Russell Westbrook and his expiring contract, even if it means adding draft picks.”"
This likely kills the possibility of any Russell Westbrook trade for the Lakers.
The Lakers reportedly will not trade both first-round picks unless they can get an all-star in return. DeRozan would have fit that billing and that may have convinced the Lakers to ultimately make the trade.
However, if this is not on the table then it is hard to see Los Angeles actually making any sort of Westbrook trade for an all-star. This would have been a perfect situation if the Bulls really did want to commit to tanking to get Victor Wembanyama.
It is hard to pinpoint another star on a bad team that could be traded so said team can commit to tanking. With Chicago’s pick being top-four protected, they were the perfect team (on paper) to commit to this path.
You cannot blame the Bulls for not wanting to go down this path even with how enticing Wembanyama is. Chicago has been in the NBA’s basement for years now and ownership finally committed assets to contending. They are not going to just punt that away because of a slow first third of the season.
And quite frankly, it is probably better for the Lakers that Chicago does not want to make this trade. Even this DeRozan trade would not have elevated the Lakers to be a true contender. They would have ultimately lost before the NBA Finals and every fan would have complained about trading the picks when they could have just rode it out with Westbrook.