The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of work to do ahead of the NBA trade deadline. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the helm, doing anything but exhausting all options within their power to maximize a title contention window would be a lost opportunity.
With the Lakers potentially having to swap first-round picks with the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of a loaded 2023 NBA Draft class, there isn’t a silver lining to having a losing season. Various players on expiring contracts, including Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Lonnie Walker IV, could be utilized in trades to add better-fitting talents.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Lakers and Utah Jazz have engaged in “exploratory conversations” centered around Westbrook. Los Angeles has been involved with many more teams beyond Utah ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz have had exploratory conversations centered around star guard Russell Westbrook, league sources tell Bleacher Report.” Haynes wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & Utah Jazz Updates
Among the top potential names that could be on the move from the Jazz ahead of the midseason trade deadline include Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Kelly Olynyk. The only untouchables are Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Ochai Ogbaji.
It remains to be seen what value the Lakers would need to part with in terms of future draft capital to get a team to take on Westbrook’s salary. One of the obstacles they face when engaging with rebuilding teams in trade discussions is the need for more desire to clear salary. Many around the NBA value free agency spending room more than they used to, especially without urgency to make win-now moves.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & Utah Jazz Updates
Much was made earlier in the season about Westbrook finding his groove in a sixth-man role after proving to be incapable of fitting well in the starting role. The Lakers are in a limited situation where they will lose Westbrook’s $47 million to use for salary matching after the season. They need to utilize it to essentially make their free agency moves now.
The Lakers can part with their first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 ahead of the trade deadline. With how wide open the Western Conference has proven to be, perhaps there will be added motivation to part with future assets to be more aggressive in contending this season.
