Russell Westbrook to Utah?
It has apparently been discussed.
According to Bleacher Report’s and TNT’s Chris Haynes, the Lakers and Jazz have held preliminary discussions regarding a trade surrounding Westbrook, whose up-and-down run in Los Angeles has him primarily coming off the bench for the first time in his career. The former MVP, however, has settled in well enough to be in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year consideration.
Still, it’s possible the Lakers could deal the mercurial star and there are other teams in the discussion.
Haynes further noted that the Lakers “are said to be in communication with most teams” pertaining to Westbrook and are expected to evaluate “the most reasonable and logical options available.”
The Lakers could be a part of a possible deal with Utah that targets point guard Mike Conley, whom they’ve reportedly inquired about recently.
But Utah is hardly the only team L.A. is looking at.
The Lakers are in desperate need of shooting and have also targeted the Pistons’ Bojan Bogdanovic, according to Haynes. The report notes, though, there is uncertainty surrounding whether Detroit wants to ship out the nine-year veteran. It would reportedly take at least an unprotected first-round pick for the Pistons to do so.
According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers’ mindset is that they need to make at least another move by the Feb. 9 deadline after acquiring Rui Hachimura and with the return of Anthony Davis.
Notably, Kyrie Irving also on Friday asked the Nets for a trade and the Lakers are reportedly said to be a team in which Irving has maintained interest in. Acquiring Irving, though, would mean a deal that includes Westbrook for salary purposes, which would then potentially reunite him with Kevin Durant.