Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Mike Conley, F Bojan Bogdanovic, G Malik Beasley

Utah Jazz receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

We’re not the first to have Russell Westbrook landing in Salt Lake City. Still, most would expect the Utah Jazz to be a third team in a deal that lands the Lakers Kyrie Irving.

We say: why not cut out the middle man?

Granted, none of the players the Lakers are receiving here are as good as Irving. That’s a given. Still, they’re getting three quality starters who fit their team concept. Following this deal, the Lakers’ spacing will have improved tenfold.

Furthermore, none of the players they’re receiving here will give them the potential headaches that Irving could. Conley makes for an especially interesting contrast here. He may not have the same array of otherworldly moves, but he’s a solid, reliable, floor-spacing guard and a consummate professional to boot.

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Assuming the Jazz end up moving Donovan Mitchell, he should also be available. After all, the Jazz should be hosting the league’s biggest firesale in his absence.