Reports: Internal discussions conducted for the LA Lakers' trade around Russell Westbrook & two 1st-round picks to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan
The LA Lakers have started scouting potential trade suitors for All-Star guard Russell Westbrook in hopes of improving their season. A potential trade scenario could involve acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls.
Yesterday, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that Los Angeles has laid out three options in preparation for the trade deadline. Option A centered around Westbrook being traded to acquire future assets. He followed it up by stating that the Lakers are leaning towards their third option, which could be a separate deal focused on Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn.
@jovanbuha @TheAthleticNBA The Lakers are leaning toward option No. 2 or 3 at this point, sources tell @jovanbuha.
Los Angeles would still retain the possibility though of following up with a larger Russell Westbrook deal later in the season.
More details:
theathletic.com/3958594/2022/1…
Now, reports are saying that the Lakers are exploring the possibility of trading the nine-time All-Star to the Bulls. The front office has reportedly begun "internal discussions." A potential trade could include a package for Westbrook and a first-round pick in exchange for DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
REPORT: The Lakers have had “internal discussions” on a trade that would send Russell Westbrook and two 1st-round picks to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
(via @ZachLowe_NBA, espn.com/espnradio/podc…) https://t.co/iPsTndx6ku
There is no clear indication as to how it will play out. But both teams could benefit from this trade scenario. Chicago hasn't been impressive this season and they're sitting at the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 9-12 record.
The Lakers haven't been great either and are currently 8-12, ranking as the 13th seed in the Western Conference.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Russell Westbrook could be the centerpiece of LA Lakers' updated trade deadline options along with two other guards
Trading Russell Westbrook now is logical for the LA Lakers
The LA Lakers have been underwhelming this 2022-23 NBA season. The front office hasn't done anything to improve their performance. Despite excellent play from their big three, they haven't generated a good number of wins. They don't have a ton of options to save their season, but one roster change could affect their future down the line.
Russell Westbrook has been playing incredible basketball since accepting his role as a sixth man. As a leader off the bench, Westbrook is averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.7% from long distance in the span of 16 games.
The nine-time All-Star has reinvented himself this season and also increased his marketability as a trade piece. This is why the Bulls are willing to give up DeRozan and Vucevic for a chance to have a change of scenery in Chicago. Westbrook has been reliable for the Lakers so far and could have a bright future with a different team.
The Lakers have struggled since acquiring Westbrook. Not because he isn't a great player anymore, but because the coaches can't play him alongside LeBron James. Both players require the ball in their hands to be effective and benefit from having a plethora of off-ball players surrounding them.
Now that Westbrook is playing well, the LA Lakers should take the opportunity to trade him while his value is still high. They won't get a lot more chances, so they should pull the trigger now.
Also read: Where does Russell Westbrook's contract with LA Lakers rank amongst worst-value contracts in the current NBA after recent resurgence?