Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Gordon Hayward, G Terry Rozier
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kyrie Irving, G Patty Mills
Permutations of this deal exist across the internet. Generally, they have the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers doing business. This time, they invited the Brooklyn Nets to the party.
The Hornets have an incentive to shed salary. They’ll likely be paying Miles Bridges this summer, and LaMelo Ball is soon to follow. Russell Westbrook’s contract expires after next season. That’s the main reason they’d part with two quality veterans for him.
Speaking of those quality veterans, the Nets lose top-end talent, but they get deeper. They’re swapping an All-World player for two very good ones. Most importantly, both Hayward and Rozier, barring physical injury, are reliable.
We don’t need to justify the Lakers’ involvement here. We know Westbrook can’t fit with James. We know Irving can. They’d be forced to take this deal at the earliest opportunity.
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We can’t quite say the same for the other teams involved. Still, the Hornets have rumored interest in Westbrook. If the Nets wish to part with Irving, this could be a good return for them.
