Report: Jazz, Knicks, Lakers discussed three-team trade surrounding Donovan Mitchell, Russell Westbrook
Things have been awfully quite on the NBA trade front in recent days, with superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving somehow, after all the rumors, still employed by the Brooklyn Nets. The overload of chatter surrounding "KD" and "Uncle Drew" has dominated many of the headlines, but big names like Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook also still haven't been moved from their current teams yet.
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, there have been discussions between the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks regarding a blockbuster three-team trade, but nothing has transpired as of yet.
"The proposed three-team trade scenario included Westbrook going to Utah and getting bought out. Utah would send Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks, a combination of two players, including Patrick Beverley and Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic or Malik Beasley to the Lakers, and the Jazz would receive significant draft pick compensation from the Knicks and Lakers. The Knicks also would’ve had to part with veteran salary filler(s), such as Derrick Rose to help make the salaries work," Scotto wrote.
Mitchell's and Westbrook's names have been floating around the rumor mill for much of the summer and could very well continue to do so until a move is made.
The three-time All-Star in Utah averaged 25.9 points, a career-high 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and a career-high 1.5 steals during the 2021-2022 regular season. The Jazz already traded away Rudy Gobert and Royce O'Neale, and it was reported in mid-July that New York was emerging as a "focused destination" in the Mitchell pursuit.
Early last week, meanwhile, it was reported that the Jazz, Knicks and Indiana Pacers were still interested in Westbrook. The Lakers guard averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.0 steal per contest during his first season in Los Angeles.
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