After failing to sign Dennis Schröder to a contract extension during the 2020/21 season, the Lakers will get another chance to sign the veteran to a new deal in free agency this summer. However, it sounds like the team is considering contingency plans to address the point guard spot.
According to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, the Lakers “have been on the hunt” for a veteran point guard. Chris Paul of the Suns and Russell Westbrook of the Wizards are among the players on Los Angeles’ list as possible targets, says Spears.
[RELATED: 2021 NBA Offseason Preview: Los Angeles Lakers]
While those names will raise some eyebrows, they come with several caveats. For one, the capped-out Lakers don’t have a clear path to acquiring an impact player in free agency — if Paul turns down his player option with Phoenix, L.A. wouldn’t be able to sign him outright unless he were willing to take a massive discount.
A sign-and-trade is a possibility for CP3. And if he were to pick up his option, he could be acquired via a standard trade. But the Lakers surrendered multiple future draft picks in the Anthony Davis blockbuster and aren’t in position to put together an especially tantalizing trade package for a star. It seems unlikely that Phoenix would want to send Paul to the division-rival Lakers unless the return was significant.
Westbrook is under contract for two more seasons, so he’d also require a trade and there has been no indication so far that the Wizards are looking to move him.
Spears suggests that “there have been talks” about the Lakers acquiring Westbrook in a deal that includes Schröder, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kyle Kuzma. However, it’s unclear which parties have been involved in those “talks” — the wording could indicate internal Lakers conversations or even just speculation amongst league sources. Schröder and Horton-Tucker would both have to agree to be signed-and-traded to D.C. in such a move, further complicating matters.
Paul and Westbrook both have strong ties to Los Angeles – Paul and his family live in the L.A. area, while Westbrook was born and raised in Southern California – but a number of obstacles would have to be overcome for either player to end up with the Lakers this offseason . Still, the fact that the Lakers are considering such options suggests that the team is willing to get creative and isn’t resigned to simply meeting Schröder’s asking price in order to address the point guard position.
Man I can see Lebron becoming so frustrated with Westbrook if they played together.
This “rumor” has to be a joke
The money, sign and trade rules and common sense all cast doubt on this even being a remote option.
They are just making #$*& up at this point.
Yes, Lakers should be hunting for Westbrook and Paul
And full rebuild in two years
In other words, Lakers should be hunting for teenagers after two years
Lehaaa Brainless just wants a title or two before retirement … he won’t care about the Lakers after that
Why should he care about them after he retires? No player should put the team’s future ahead of their own. Forget the NBA, no person should care what happens to their company after their retirement.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see paul turn down his option and resign on like a 2 or 3 year deal to facilitate a trade to L.A. After coming this close to his first ring and with his age he might be desperate. But honestly I think his chances are better if he stays in Phoenix vs L.A.
Lol that’s rich, his suns struggled with lakers and clippers without there best players. Ad healthy lakers win in 5 this past season. If Paul wants to win it won’t be suns, if he wants money he’ll stay with suns.
People keep saying that but the Suns also had some games and moments where they were dominating.
Remember Chris paul was hurt in first series. He then tested positive for Covid and missed games.
Booker stepped up and shown he can be the go to man. Anton, Bridges, and cam johnson can all improve. Suns can add to front court depth which was a weakness of theirs.
I don’t see what LA has that would possibly entice Phoenix to move Paul. And I’m not sure why LA or Paul would really want to consummate that marriage anyway?
Paul and LeBron are both 36. And while they’ve held up well relative to their peers, it seems like a huge gamble for them to put the fate of their (first/next) ring in one another’s soon-to-be late-30’s hands.
Stevie Wonder could see what LA has that might entice him. LBJ, AD and a team, coach and organization that has recently experienced how to win a championship. Obviously health and age are concerns but I would put money on LBJ and AD being laser focused on their health this offseason.
a.) I said entice Phoenix, not Paul. LA has nothing that would make them amenable to moving Paul.
b.) Being “laser-focused” on your health doesn’t necessarily prevent injuries. LeBron has been more assiduous than anyone in that regard – he still got injured 2 of the last 3 seasons. Which is why you don’t usually team up two guys in their mid-to-late 30s.
Paul has an option that he could decline if he wanted to sign with LA so it’s not up to Phoenix UNLESS the teams agreed to a sign and trade once Paul makes his decision. As for the health concerns, of course injuries can happen to veteran players but I bet they’ll work as hard as they can to be ready to start the season. Injuries CAN happen to anyone but training can mitigate injuries
I’m convinced Phoenix would prefer that Paul opt out. They need to lock up Ayton, Bridges, and Payne
But anybody that thinks Chris Paul will do a veteran minimum deal with the Lakers is DELUSIONAL. Yeah, he wants a ring. But he wants that cheese even more.
There’s nobody L.A. could send Phoenix that could even get enough minutes there to have an impact.
Besides that, why would the Suns do anything to help out the Lakers? That would seem… self-defeating.
The veteran PG that makes sense for the Lakers is Kemba Walker. OKC will let him go for next to nothing. Kuzma and a (way in the future) #1 might get it done. Kuzma, Horton-Tucker, and a #1 is a slam dunk.
Suns have one year left to compete
They can’t afford to pay everyone market price
Because they have a cheap owner.
Lakers need a point guard that can facilitate but also shoot from outside. That’s not Westbrook. I think of that game where Westbrook’s team was losing to the Lakers and Westbrook was taking trash to Bron saying no one on the team could guard him because he was having his way. Bron was looking at him like “dude you’re losing”. I don’t think LBJ respects Westbrook’s IQ.
Paul makes sense but that reallllly makes that team feel that much older and unfortunately, the idea that both AD and Paul could miss significant time leaving LBJ to shoulder a lot of the load seems likely. They need a splash of youth but from where? Kuzma isn’t much of a trade bait and their draft picks aren’t that appealing.
Yea Lakers need shooting but they also need another ball handler. Remember what made Lakers dangerous in 2020 was that their was another clear ball handler who was capable of getting the ball and making quick decisions as teams focused on Lebron/AD.
That’s why rondo made a big impact.
Yes. Ball handler. But one that can shoot and preferably has a high IQ. I don’t goon they see Westbrook as that guy.
I agree. I’m just stating it’s not just shooting they need.
I love Westbrook but he’s not always best decision maker and prone to turnovers.
Thus I don’t see Westbrook as a fit
Lakers get Westbrook
Wizards get Kuzma, Tucker and Schroeder
Who says no?
Schroeder $80 mm
Tucker $40 mm
Kuzma $40 mm 3 years
Wizards say Hell No.
That’s actually a better trade for Washington than LA. The Wizards are so talent-deprived even Kuzma would be a useful starter.
Schroeder is probably a better fit with Beal even though he’s a lesser player. And Tucker is a nice young player that should be a sparkplug off the bench.
Whereas in LA … is the answer here to add MORE injury uncertainty?
Pairing an uber-athletic PG now firmly in his mid-30s, with a guy in his late-20s with an injury history of a guy in his late-30s … and then LeBron, who’s logged more minutes than anyone not named Malone and Jabbar.
Schroeder already said no to $80 mm to play with Lakers. Why we he accept that contract to play with the Wizards?
$$$$$
Who says “no”? Bradley Beal.
He’s not going to re-sign for f they’re going to go full-on rebuild again. Westbrook to the Lakers isn’t gonna happen.
Paul would work for the Lakers or any team that is in win now mode and that needs a point guard. But Westbrook as the third wheel to LeBron and Anthony Davis seems like a recipe for frustration and disappointment for everyone involved.
If Paul demands 4 year $120 million or more, I can see Suns deal him to another team later
If Suns keep and pay all own free agents market price, Suns owner has to pay $147 million luxury tax 2022-23 season
Nobody’s giving Paul a four year deal. Period. Full stop.
Lakers are very smart
You don’t overpay Tucker, Caruso and Tucker guys
You target vet min players who want to win championships
Drummond, Blake Griffin and Love
But should they overpay Tucker?
In order to get Schroeder and THT into a S&T, you’re probably going to have to overpay them. For that reason, along with the S&T hardcapping the Wizards, I see no reason for the Wizards to do this deal without the Lakers 1st this year and in 2027.
Kuzma to Detroit for CoJo works nicely.
I imagine the Lakers have their sights set a little higher, but a guy like CoJo would fit in really well with LAL.
Did the NBA announce it was using multiple balls in play next year? only way LeBron and Westbrook would work on the same team
Does Westbrook work well with any star player? It’s a moot point regarding the Lakers, anyway. Speculation about Westbrook or Paul going to the Lakers sounds like gossip for the sake of gossip. Westbrook is a ridiculously unrealistic option for a variety of reasons, and even if money was not an issue, I can’t see him fitting in well with Lebron and Davis. Paul is highly unlikely, as well, unless he is so frustrated by losing in the Finals that he is willing to basically disregard money in order to try to get a ring with Lebron. That seems incredibly unlikely, even though his home is in L.A. and he and Lebron are reportedly very close.
Both Paul and Westbrook seems like desperation moves for a team that really shouldn’t be that desperate.
This team w/ Schroeder, when healthy, was probably the best team in the league. Moving DS for an older point guard isn’t going to ameliorate the odds of LeBron or AD getting injured.
And if you think Paul or Westbrook can still carry your team *if* those 2 get injured? Unlikely.
Bottom line: Anthony Davis is supposed to the insurance to get this team through periods when LeBron is showing his age. If you can’t trust him to do that, then maybe it’s AD not DS that you should be shopping.
Especially when a guy like Dame Lillard is ostensibly on the market.
When saying “Best in the league” when saying this literally means “because no Klay Thompson” you know you aren’t in a stable position.
Well said Surfer…homerun of a post !
I actually think its the other LA team that will be desperate and has the caveat of having a bunch of expiring’s to match if they wanna give up 23 caps to help 22 out (its there only way REALLY to get nominally better (in theory))
For Lakers NO on Westy or Kemba and Paul I feel was just a late April Fools joke?
I could see the Lakers getting Westbrick, particularly if (for the first time in their history) the Wiz seek to rebuild. But I believe that when they say it (and maybe not even then). With 2 years remaining, even if the trade only gets him off the books, it works for the Wiz.
CP3, I can’t see, even if it’s where he wants to go. He’s not turning down 44 mm to take the MLE. I don’t think PHX will do a S&T (or an opt-in and trade) to Lakers without getting substantial compensation, and I don’t think the Lakers have that level of trade assets. Not sure they could deal with the hard cap either if it’s a S&T.
Even though it’s unlikely it’s still possible. If suns know Paul won’t be back they could try to get something as opposed to letting him walk for nothing.
link to youtu.be
They go over how the financials would work and yes they would be hard capped but if they trade schroder/kcp and kuzma plus a pick they get within the range necessary for chris pauls new deal of 30 million for 2 or 3 it’s very possible
True, it’s not impossible. But getting “nothing” is likely preferable to the Suns to having to take on the contracts of players they don’t want. Lakers don’t have any tradable 1st rounders until 2027.
Agreed. Suns might do that trade if Schroder was an expiring deal but not when he’s wanting a 4 year $100m contract. Letting CP3 walk for nothing is better then being more cap strapped with their current players are needing extended.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
To trade for Paul, the Lakers should have to match salaries.
Phoenix won’t do that. And the Lakers can’t trade a #1 until 2026.
The Lakers would definitely have to find a third team to make this work, and they I’m not sure what that would look like. L.A. has VERY little to offer.
Kuzma, Horton-Tucker, and/or Schroeder on a fat-ass new contract? Nobody’s going to get excited about that.
I said that one time on You tube that Lebron need 4 more all-stars to get back to the play in game. Lakers fans cried for two weeks!
On YouTube, really?
They are usually so well balanced over there in the comments section
Bron with Choke Paul 3 and Chokebrook? First round exit at best, missing the play-in at worst, bunch of senior citizens.
Also, can everyone saying “Steph is too old” when he’s 33, but CP3 at 36 and Bron at 38 are “best in the league”?? Can…you…not…see…what….youre…saying????
CP3>Steph at any age
I think Lakers would be better off targeting a vet like Dragic or Lowry. As a Heat fan I do hope we end up with Lowry.
Kuzma for Dragic might make some sense for both sides.
Paul would only happen if he’s willing to take a discount and join his mate Bron. Otherwise Suns won’t be interesting in the Lakers players and Lakers would be risking a lot in two 36 year olds.
Russ tho I think would be really good. He wouldn’t provide the spacing which Bron prefers but he is a stat sheet stuffer and hard to guard. The shooting and defence won’t be as good but you can find those players in the draft and FA. Fully fit the Lakers with Bron and AD are a WCSF team themselves throw in Russ you’d be favourites to make it out of the west. Look at the Bucks they won a chip led by 3 stars, a couple decent role players and cheap vets. The other perk of it would be if one star is out you still have 2 to lead the team. Look at the Nets, Kyrie, KD and Harden all missed parts of the season and they were what second or third in the east.
I’d make that deal Schroder, THT and Kuzma for Russ.
Then in FA, bring back Caruso and Dudley. Go get Melo, McGee, Langston Galloway, Glen Robinson.
1. Russ. Caruso
2. KCP. Galloway
3. Bron. Robinson. McKinnie
4. AD. Melo. Dudley
5. Gasol. McGee
Something along these lines.
I LOVE the Melo inclusion but am 100 out on Russ…LBJ needs to make that call to Melo tho…been saying it for 2 years ….feel LeBron was weary then, cant be NOW…Jump on the Portland mess and steal Melo away next month early
It’s Imo that Vet mins will be just as important as an aspect as who we are (limited ) to be able to bring in thru trades/signs
No on Duds as well…..save that spot for a guy like Damion Jones of last year or someone of his ilk w more upside/usability ..How bout Whiteside if he takes the min again…..
You might want to express that “LOVE” in lowercase, at least until you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the man’s full impact on a team. Ever wonder why LBJ (rarely shy) didn’t push for the Lakers to sign his pal during the year and half he was sitting at home? Why another pal, CP3, was OK with him being released within weeks of being signed? I don’t.
I’ve been impressed w Melo in Portland the last 2 years
For the vets min this team def needs shooting and bn scoring ….. He stretches the floor makes his 3’s idk what’s not to like for the min and this team is going to need 5 min players at least
OK, if it happens, we’ll pick up the discussion midseason.
Fair enough…out of curiosity what are some vet mins names you would target and think will be available next month for contending teams
Just as a bench shooter and impact. Melo and Bron are mates. Lakers could do with a 10 point minimum type scorer off the bench. Melo proved last year he’s a bucket
The Lakers already have spacing issues with AD playing 4. Adding Russ to that mix would be catastrophic for their offense, IMO.
If they were going to get Russ I think AD would have to buy in to playing 5 full-time. But can his body hold up at the 5?
I would be bad for spacing but in actual fact the starting 5 can all shoot atleast abit. The Lakers offence is usually running plays through 1 player anyways. So without spacing teams may try to double but Bron, AD and Russ are all use to that. Bron is an excellent passer and will find the open shooter or cutter. Russ will mainly be used cutting or bursting pass his man in pick and rolls.
An alternative could be Kyle Kuzma plus picks or something for either Derrick White or DeJounte Murray.
Bron has a relationship with both, more so with Murray. Spurs we’re very interested in Kuzma in the past and still have a hole at PF.
What picks? They have 1 first rounder that they are in control of until 2027-2028 season!
They only owe Pelicans 2 more picks and 2 picks swaps likely to not convey. Please stop with the rhetoric
LaM isn’t incorrect. They don’t have any 1sts to trade until 2027. They have this year’s first, but the draft takes place before FA opens so it’s not really a tradeable asset (although the player they get may be)…
I mean depending on how much the Spurs value Kuzma compared to the two guards they might do it straight or be happy with a second rounder or two
This is Silly AF w the Lakers
I do believe the other team in LA tho has a good chance at getting Westbrook or Kemba for just all the expiring crap they have/No value really
Perfect dump team for others….will be scratching to win, no value or assets to get anything good but a TON of expiring match money…Teams should be calling them if they feel they have an overpaid star and want off the hook
Kemba is the deal that makes sense. OKC will take a bag of socks to get him off their books.
This really isn’t any news, even a casual NBA fan could have said the Lakers need a vet PG. That being said Westbrook would be great for the Lakers. Somebody to bring the intensity which Davis is clearly lacking. I’d consider swapping KCP for a bigger, better shooter at the 2 guard.
Its going to hard finding better than a +40% from the 3 than KCP –
I think Westbrook would be a disaster for the Lakers personally , one that could potentially send AD and LBJ questioning 23 and beyond…I pray NO here
Gotta get him the super team it’s the only way he can win
Veteran PG doesnt only mean westbrook and cp3. It could also mean, dragic, lowry, conley, mills, etc. Even lonzo ball now fits in that category.
I doubt Lakers can get Westbrook in a trade. But he can play with Bron. Remember he was the PG for Lakers one yr. Westbrook and AD can play the wings to close out gms. Bron running team Westbrook easily gets 30. Lakers need a scorer, need scoring. Westbrook can play point till it’s time to close out gms. I think it works easily. I’m not even a fan. It would make Lakers dangerous. That’s three guys that can put up 30. I doubt Wizards would want Schroeder. It would have to be a three way. I like it for Lakers.
I don’t think either will happen, given the money commitment. That said, I think the Lakers should take a shot at Victor Oladipo! His value is low, so they might be able to convince him to take a mid-level deal so that he can build back up his value. If he can stay healthy, it could be the steal of the off-season.
Good luck Lakers.
Russell Westbrook has a 15% trade kicker.
2021-22 $44,211,146
2022-23 $47,063,47
Chris Paul’s 2021-22 Player Option is $44,211,146.
I think a trade with OKC for Kemba Walker is more realistic.
2021-22 $36,016,200
2022-23 $37,653,300* player option
Trade kickers do not apply to max salary guys. Even if he had a 3,000% trade kicker, he cannot earn more than the maximum salary for a player with his experience. Since he is already getting paid max, he cannot earn any more.
Yessir. Kemba Walker will be the Lakers’ point guard next year.
Considering all this talk, rumors, stories. About Lakers and PGs. I think we can pretty much assume Schroeder is gone. And they don’t want him. Or should we say Bron don’t want him. Lakers only way to get and upgrade is with a sign n trade for Schroeder. But who is going to pay big for him. Not even Knicks would. I don’t like Sexton at all lols. But I take him ahead of Schroeder. To me he’s a solid 6th man.
The Lakers already offered Schroeder a contract which would have been an overpay. He simply overvalues himself, and did the Lakers a favor by turning that offer down. Of course he will be gone, one way or another, and that is a good thing for the Lakers.