The Los Angeles Lakers are still stuck with Russell Westbrook, and even though their best player LeBron James and newcomer Patrick Beverley showed their support to the former NBA MVP, many people around the league are convinced Russ’ time at Crypto.com Arena is coming to its end.
Following Beverley’s arrival to the team, more think he’s closer to the exit than ever, and seeing how intense fans have asked for this, the Lakers are reportedly actively trying to shop him before the start of the 2022/23 season. While Russ’ trade value is really low right now, there are a couple of teams that could engage in trade talks with the Lakers.
One anonymous NBA executive told Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus that the Lakers still have three ‘obvious’ teams to deal Westbrook. These squads have been linked with a move for the player previously, but so far, nothing has happened. Still, seeing that they pulled off the Beverley move without giving up their draft picks, this could be a good option for the Lakers in the short future.
“Per one NBA executive, the Lakers have three remaining ‘obvious’ partners they should pursue to make a Westbrook swap in the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs or Utah Jazz,” Pincus wrote.
As things stand right now, the Pacers and Jazz are the only teams that could give them the right package to compete next year. The Spurs are starting a serious rebuilding process right now, and it is unclear which veterans the Lakers would like to get from the Texan team.
Still, anything can happen in the NBA, especially when it comes to the Purple and Gold. They surprised a lot of people with the Beverley move, and hearing all the buzz around the league, it seems like a matter of when before we see Westbrook leaving Los Angeles.
