Lakers rumors: Best possible Westbrook trade after Myles Turner news
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers opted not to trade Russell Westbrook during the offseason. A deal with the Indiana Pacers was reportedly at the one-yard line but the Lakers ultimately opted not to make the trade and preserve the team’s draft capital.
Since then, Myles Turner and Buddy Hield have been balling out for the Pacers while Westbrook has started to stagger for Los Angeles. Westbrook started the year on a promising note but things have gotten ugly as of late.
Turner’s strong play netted him a contract extension with the Pacers, effectively taking him off of the trade market. Indiana signed Turner to a two-year, $60 million extension while Lakers fans are left wondering what could have been.
While a Westbrook trade may not be the most likely move to make, there is still a possibility that it happens. Los Angeles made one trade for Rui Hachimura and if the team goes on a run, that could convince Rob Pelinka and ownership to make a bigger move. If so, there is one Westbrook trade that is far better than the rest.
The best Russell Westbrook trade for the Lakers is for Zach LaVine.
Zach LaVine has been connected to the Lakers for quite some time now with prior speculation that he wanted to join the purple and gold. LaVine is also a Klutch Sports client, which is important to remember in the case that he tries to force his way to LA.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe added more fuel to the fire recently, speculating that the situation between the Bulls and LaVine may not resolve itself. If the two teams come to an impasse then Los Angeles instantly becomes the favorite for LaVine.
While he is an all-star-caliber player, LaVine may not have as much trade value as fans would think. He is in the first year of a five-year contract and has been injury prone in his career. It would definitely be a risk for the Lakers to trade for him but it would be a risk worth taking to capitalize on this title window.
A package of Westbrook with two unprotected first-round picks may very well be enough to get LaVine in purple and gold. Chicago would be getting out of that long-term contract unscathed and would also get two of the most valuable picks in the sport.
If the team does indeed start discussing a LaVine trade this season then it is hard to see a trade that beats this Lakers’ offer. And if LaVine does become available, it is hard to see Los Angeles being that stingy where they would turn down a chance to land a better, younger all-star guard.
Los Angeles certainly shouldn’t waste draft capital on a bad Westbrook trade package but this is far from being that. This would be as good as the Lakers can get in a Russell Westbrook trade.