LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Terry Rozier linked with Purple and Gold, former teammate believes Russell Westbrook might fall out of the league soon
The LA Lakers are only three games into the season, but the team is already considering replacements for starting point guard Russell Westbrook. One name that has re-emerged as a possibility is Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier.
In other news, one of Russell Westbrook’s former teammates thinks he could be out of the league soon based on his early-season struggles.
On that note, here are the latest rumors surrounding the LA Lakers as of Oct. 25th, 2022.
LA Lakers reportedly have interest in Hornets guard Terry Rozier
The LA Lakers are off to a dreadful 0-3 start plagued by terrible team shooting and bad shot selection from point guard Russell Westbrook. As a result, the team is already looking at potential trades for a new floor general, particularly one who can provide the team with spacing. One name that has been coming up recently is Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets.
It was previously reported that the Lakers discussed trading for Rozier in a 4-team trade involving the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. That trade was obviously never completed. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported that the Lakers are still interested in Rozier.
“Charlotte’s Terry Rozier emerged as a trade target for the Lakers in the offseason and their interest in him remains high, multiple sources tell The Athletic,” Charania said.
Charania then added that Rozier’s availability will depend on the Charlotte Hornets' direction as a franchise and whether or not they opt to rebuild.
“The Lakers and Hornets held discussions about a possible three- or four-team trade during the summer, and hold him in high regard among their possible trade possibilities, but the dynamic Hornets guard’s availability will be entirely predicated on the franchise’s direction for the future and its play as the season goes on.
“Despite LaMelo Ball being sidelined with a Grade 2 ankle sprain and Rozier recently suffering his own sprained ankle, the Hornets and coach Steve Clifford are off to a 2-1 start in the Eastern Conference,” Charania said.
The Charlotte Hornets are currently in a tough situation as they have a 21-year-old All-Star point guard to build around in LaMelo Ball. But overall, the Hornets' roster still lacks additional young talent.
The loss of Ball’s co-star Miles Bridges due to his pending assault trial has many wondering if Charlotte will trade away their veterans and tank. If they do, the Lakers will likely pounce on the opportunity to add Rozier and some of the Hornets’ other veterans.
Given Westbrooks’s $47.1 million contract, a trade would likely involve a combination of Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre or Mason Plumlee, in addition to Rozier.
The 28-year-old Rozier will certainly be the Lakers' biggest prize in any potential deal with the Hornets, though.
In 207 career games for Charlotte, Rozier has averaged 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.0 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.8% from distance. In contrast, the LA Lakers as a team are shooting just 21.2% from three through three games.
Former teammate believes Russell Westbrook might be out of the league soon
Russell Westbrook has struggled mightily through his first three games for the LA Lakers this season. So much so that one of his own former teammates is questioning if Westbrook’s time in the NBA could be coming to an end.
Former 14-year NBA big man Kendrick Perkins played 227 games over five seasons with Westbrook on the OKC Thunder. This includes the 2011-2012 season when the Thunder made the NBA Finals. So Perkins has seen Westbrook firsthand at his best.
However, Perkins, now an ESPN analyst, had some harsh yet honest words for Westbrook during a recent appearance on "First Take." Perkins first spoke about how the Lakers should have traded Westbrook in the offseason.
"Is Russ's game declining? Hell yeah... Should Rob Pelinka have traded Russ this offseason? Hell yeah,” Perkins said.
Perkins then suggested that Westbrook be sent home until the Lakers find a trade destination for him. However, he’s not so sure that any team in the league will be willing to give Westbrook another shot.
“So let's talk about the now. What are you gonna do now? ...You send him home until you find a place where somebody's gonna trade for him... Here's the sad part about it, right now there are no GMs in the league that are willing to take a chance on Russ and bring him into their locker room," Perkins said.
Finally, Perkins added that Westbrook could be out of the league as soon as next season.
"If he (Westbrook) don't be careful, he will find himself out of the league come next year," Perkins said.
Through three games for the LA Lakers, Westbrook is averaging just 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He is also currently shooting just 28.9% from the field and 8.3% from three.
Westbrook may be making $47.1 million this season, making it tough for the Lakers to just send him home. But at this point, it might be addition by subtraction for the struggling Lakers.
LA Lakers also interested in Spurs wing Josh Richardson
Another potential LA Lakers trade target that was mentioned in Shams Charania’s report for The Athletic is San Antonio Spurs veteran wing Josh Richardson.
“The Lakers have also held preliminary discussions with the Spurs in recent weeks, sources said, showing interest in three-and-D wing Josh Richardson. The 6-foot-5 Richardson has averaged nearly 13 points to start the season, shooting 47.1 percent on 5.67 three-point attempts per game,” Charania said.
Josh Richardson may not be as big of a name as Terry Rozier in terms of LA Lakers trade targets. However, he could still help out the Lakers more than Russell Westbrook.
Richardson has career averages of 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 36.6% from three. So he could be a viable 3-and-D player for the Lakers. The only problem is he is on an expiring $12.2 million contract and will be a free agent next season. However, at this point, the Lakers are running out of options.