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Lakers, Jazz Exploratory Talks Westbrook
The Lakers and Jazz have had some exploratory discussions about a trade involving veteran point defend Russell Westbrook, league sources inform Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Although Westbrook has adjusted nicely to a sixth man function this season and hasn’t been noted as exchange rumors nearly as regularly as he was throughout the offseason, he has remained available for trade, in accordance to Haynes.
The current acquisition of Rui Hachimura has given the Lakers a renewed feel of confidence, however there’s a faith within the company that the membership needs to make at least one more roster go before the February 9 alternate cut-off date to provide itself a real shot at contention, Haynes says.
It’s viable such a pass may want to contain Westbrook, although Patrick Beverley stays a exchange candidate as well. According to Haynes, the Lakers are in conversation with many teams around the NBA as they reflect onconsideration on the most favorable change situations available to them.
this thing is not first time happening isn’t the first time we seen it and heard about the Lakers and Jazz having a talking about Westbrook. The two teams reportedly engaged in discussions last offseason, with Los Angeles exploring a deal that would’ve despatched Westbrook and draft belongings to Utah in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and others.
Bogdanovic was once traded to Detroit instead, however the Jazz nevertheless have numerous veterans on eight-figure salaries who should appeal to L.A., which include Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers additionally remain interested in Bogdanovic as they scour the market in search of outdoor capturing help, Haynes confirms, though there’s skepticism about whether or not the Pistons will absolutely move the veteran ahead earlier than the deadline. Westbrook’s estbrook’s $47MM cap hit makes him a complex participant to move, but if the Lakers remain open to dealing him, there are other probabilities they may want to explore.
According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, one famous alternate thinking that has made the rounds as of late is Westbrook and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to the Raptors for a package deal headlined by means of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. However, Hollinger stresses that the Raptors/Westbrook proposal has been fairly closely trafficked in theory regardless of little evidence that it’s been discussed in reality.