The Los Angeles Lakers are in a tough spot when it comes to upgrading the roster this NBA offseason. They need to make some moves, but their options to do so are very limited given the lack of assets.
Los Angeles would be able to recoup a lot of those assets if they made a player such as Anthony Davis available for trade, or LeBron James, but that isn’t an option they seem to have seriously considered. The one player that they would like to move is Russell Westbrook, but that will not be cheap.
Teams around the league don’t want to take on Westbrook and his $47.1 million contract for the upcoming season. His performance fell off a bit last season, which isn’t going to help improve his value on the trade market.
They aren’t the only team with a point guard that could be on the move, as the Brooklyn Nets are in a similar boat with Kyrie Irving. They are unwilling to commit to him long-term, which has caused some friction this offseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Lakers Stars Reaffirm Commitment With Phone Call, But Does It Matter?
Swapping the two has been something discussed as a possibility this offseason, but the Lakers have been unwilling to meet the asking price. Some rumors have said that Los Angeles would have to attach two first-round picks to Westbrook while taking on Joe Harris along with Irving.
That sounds like it would be a win for the Lakers, who need all the help they can get. While nothing has occurred yet, don’t expect them to start trying. While making an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Adrian Wojnarowski made it clear he doesn’t believe the Lakers are done making deals.
“I think the Lakers will make a deal, maybe more than one deal. It may not be for Kyrie Irving, it may not be for an All-NBA player, an All-Star… It’s not completely dead with Brooklyn… I don’t think the Lakers are done.”
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Lakers Stars Reaffirm Commitment With Phone Call, But Does It Matter?
The Lakers have been linked to other players around the league, which is likely what Wojnarowski is referring to. Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets has been mentioned as a trade target, as has Myles Turner and Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers.
Another team to keep an eye on is the New York Knicks. Rumors floated that Los Angeles would be interested in acquiring Julius Randle in a swap for Westbrook should the Knicks succeed in their pursuit of Donovan Mitchell.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors: Nets & Lakers
- Lakers Stars Reaffirm Commitment With Phone Call, But Does It Matter?
- Could Lakers Consider Buyout Or Send Russell Westbrook Home?
- Russell Westbrook Wants To Leave Lakers, Agent Sever Ties Over It
- Kyrie Irving Still Expected To Get Traded To Los Angeles Lakers
- 3 Fresh Russell Westbrook Trade Packages After Offseason Action
- 3 Trades To Send Kyrie Irving To Los Angeles Lakers
- Big Lakers Obstacle Revealed In Kyrie Irving Trade Pursuit
For more Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets coverage, check out our team-specific feed: Lakers and Nets.
