LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: NBA analyst discusses possibility of a De'Aaron Fox trade, Jazz motivated to make move for Russell Westbrook, and more
A prominent NBA analyst has suggested a blockbuster trade between the LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings involving Kings star point guard De'Aaron Fox.
In other news, the Utah Jazz are reportedly motivated to make a deal with the Lakers involving point guard Russell Westbrook. However, the Lakers are not as interested.
On that note, here are the top rumors surrounding the LA Lakers as of Nov. 3, 2022.
NBA analyst suggests LA Lakers trade for De'Aaron Fox
The LA Lakers have improved to 2-5 after an unlikely 120-117 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. If not for a difficult buzzer-beater 3 by bench sharpshooter Matt Ryan that forced overtime, the team would be just 1-6.
So naturally, the trade rumors surrounding the Lakers are still swirling. This includes one new potential trade target who has now been thrown into the mix.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons suggested that the Sacramento Kings should consider trading star point guard De'Aaron Fox to the LA Lakers. In exchange, the Kings could receive the Lakers' 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks along with Russell Westbrook.
Answer: Sac says no unless the 2027/2029 firsts are on the table unprotected.
My take: I’d actually trade Fox for Russ + those 2 Lakers firsts. I’m getting 2023 cap space + two massive assets from a poorly run team, plus more Mitchell mins… I’m just in a better spot long-term.
Simmons' reasoning for the Kings doing the deal is that Fox may never become an All-Star. However, he would still represent a significant upgrade over Westbrook for the Lakers. The Kings (2-5) could then focus on the future and give second-year guard Davion Mitchell the starting point guard role.
Question if you’re running Sac…
What’s the ceiling of Fox? Is there any path to him being an All-Star or a top-35 guy? Can he ever be one of the best 8 guys at his position? I personally value those 2027/2029 Lakers picks more than Fox. It’s a good argument though.
Through six games, Fox has averaged 24.5 points, 6 rebounds and 4.8 assists on a 54.8/38.7/84.0 shooting split. He is also still just 24 years old. If the Kings do consider trading Fox, it’s hard to imagine the Lakers finding a better trade target.
Utah Jazz reportedly more motivated than the LA Lakers to make a Russell Westbrook trade
The LA Lakers have opted to remain patient in regards to trading Russell Westbrook and their future first-rounders. This is due to the fact that the picks represent the Lakers' only real trade asset for the foreseeable future.
So far, the Lakers have reportedly negotiated with multiple teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz. However, they still haven’t found the right offer.
This hasn’t stopped the Jazz from trying to get a deal done, though. On the “Please Don’t Aggregate This” podcast, Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune discussed the two teams’ negotiations.
They first addressed a previously discussed deal involving Westbrook and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round picks going to the Jazz. In exchange, the Lakers would have received a package of veterans such as Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and a 2023 first-round pick.
Bogdanovic has since been traded to the Detroit Pistons, which has hurt the Jazz’s leverage in a potential deal. The Lakers now do not see it as worthwhile to trade both of their picks to Utah. However, the Jazz are still open to a similar trade.
Fischer also added that the LA Lakers only want to make a deal that will put them over the top to win the championship this season.
So all things considered, it’s not looking likely that the Utah Jazz and LA Lakers will agree to a deal anytime soon.
Former LA Lakers center Dwight Howard makes pitch for possible next destinations
Former LA Lakers center Dwight Howard remains without a team entering the November. However, he’s not giving up hope of making an NBA return this season.
During a recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe's “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Howard discussed how he could still help an NBA contender. The three teams he mentioned included the defending champions Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets.
Howard first gave his reasoning for why the Nets should sign him. He highlighted the fact that Brooklyn needs a rim protector.
"This time around, I asked to come to Brooklyn. I talked to them. They said they need a big that can shoot. I'm like, 'Y'all just had a big that can shoot.' ...
"I felt like that would have been a great pickup, a big that could protect the rim, play good pick-and-roll defense, rebound the pick-and-roll with KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons. I felt like that would have been lethal with me in it."
Howard later explained why the Warriors should sign him:
“I’ve been a Warrior my whole life. They need a big. I’m Dwight Howard, [James] Wiseman can learn so much from me.
"To be able to teach him how to play defense and block shots. I see him as a person similar to David Robinson and his size and athleticism. There’s a lot of things that I could really teach him.”
Ultimately, Howard provided his case for why the Celtics could use his services:
"I'm all about defense, I understand it on a different level. Bill Russell was one of my heroes. One of the first books I read in high school was 'Russell Rules.' I feel like me being a vet, helping out some of those young guys, those young bigs. It ain't like I'm trying to come in and play 35, 45 minutes.
"But I can come in and give a team 20, 25 minutes and give you a good 12-15 points and 10 rebounds, and make sure the bench is hyped, make sure everybody on the team is ready to go every day."
Dwight Howard may be correct in saying that all three of those teams could use another veteran big man. However, at 36 and coming off the worst season of his career, those teams may look for more reliable options.
Howard averaged a career-low 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds along with just 0.6 blocks for the LA Lakers last season. The numbers were a far cry from his days as a perennial All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate. However, he may still be able to provide limited bench production if given the chance.