Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype explore potential offseason moves for the Lakers in their latest podcast. Scotto asked three different league executives for their opinions regarding Russell Westbrook‘s trade value, with slightly different results.
One said he had no interest in acquiring Westbrook whatsoever. The second executive called Westbrook’s contract “terrible” and said it’s viewed very negatively around the league, and would only be dealt for multiple other salary dumps.
The third executive was a little more circumspect in his assessment, noting that Westbrook’s $47MM player option for 2022/23 is likely to be perceived as a negative asset, but certain teams might take it on in order to get rid of long-term contracts.
Gozlan doesn’t think the Lakers’ front office will consider using the waive-and-stretch provision on Westbrook, considering the team will finally be clear of Luol Deng‘s dead money cap hit ($5MM) this summer. Teams might be interested trading for Westbrook if he indicates he’d accept a buyout agreement for a slightly discounted rate — perhaps $5-10MM less — which Gozlan believes is the high-end of the range he might earn as a free agent.
Both Gozlan and Scotto think that the framework for a potential Westbrook/John Wall swap will be revisited this summer, with one GM telling Scotto that he thinks the Rockets guard can still be a high-level backup in the NBA, or even a fringe starter.
Here are some more Lakers rumors:
- Scotto queried four executives to gauge the value of unrestricted free agent Malik Monk, and they projected his next deal to be in the range of the taxpayer mid-level exception ($6.4MM) to the non-taxpayer mid-level ($10MM). As of now, the most the Lakers can offer Monk is the taxpayer mid-level.
- Expect Los Angeles to again dangle Talen Horton-Tucker ($10.26MM), Kendrick Nunn ($5.25MM) and draft compensation to improve the roster, says Scotto.
- League executives agree that former coach Frank Vogel was the scapegoat for the team’s disastrous season, with one noting that the well-respected Vogel should “be able to pick his spot as a high-level assistant if that’s something he wants to do,” according to Scotto.
- LeBron James‘ future in L.A. is the biggest story surrounding the franchise, writes Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. James is eligible for a two-year, $97MM extension in August, which could secure his place on the roster through 2025. However, sources at Klutch Sports say that the agency and James have yet to discuss the star’s future, per Pincus.
Lakers need great great trade for Westbrook, otherwise Lakers won’t win anything soon.
Brogdon has two-year salary $39m
Hield has three-year salary $67M
Pacers Trade $106 million for Westbrook $47M
Hayward has 2-year salary $62 million
Rozier has 4-year salary $96M
Hornets trade $158 million for Westbrook $47M
This is a great trade for Lakers too. I love the trade.
It’s a great trade for the Lakers but I don’t think Hornet’s or Pacer’s interested in those deals. The Hornet’s want to dump Hayward for sure but doubt they want to lose Rosier. I don’t know why the Pacer’s would trade 2 players in the prime of their career for a guy that is on his way out of the league.
why would teams even want westbrick. he was hot garbage to add to lol
I believe brodgan took an extension before the season. I think he has 4 years about 90 million left on his contract
Lakers need to declare to the world.
Future Draft picks are absolutely not available but Westbrook is too available.
Delutional GMs like Rockets and Knicks are too aggressive to acquire Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick.
Lakers should just move Russ as soon as possible. I’m not on the same trend as everyone else in thinking Russ is a complete right off now that he’s old. He actually had a decent season in comparison to previous season and on the right team he could still be an all star. But I can’t see a world where he ever has anymore playoff success, it’s just his ego, lack of outside shooting and stuff which stop him.
Rumours a couple weeks ago were saying Russ for Brogdon and Heild. That would an insanely huge win for the Lakers. Reports more recently were the Lakers wouldn’t trade Russ straight for Gordan Hayward. Personally I’d rather Hayward than Russ but at the same time if Brogdon and Heild are on the table then Hayward on his own isn’t enough in comparison.
My favourite idea is the Pacers deal plus the knicks involved
Lakers: Malcom Brogdon+Julius Randle+Alec Burks
Indiana: THT+2nd Lakers
Knicks: Russell Westbrook
Lakers then line up
Brogdon Monk LBJ Randle AD
With a bench made up of
Augustine Burks Johnson Melo Howard
That’s a good starting point, only think I don’t like is the Julius Randle fit with Bron and AD. So I’d probably flip him in a seperate deal but it’s a good start. Burks does a KCP role off the bench amd Brogdon is exactly what you need at point guard.
Knicks only give up Randle and Burks, Indy gets back THT and a pick for Brogdon which clears the way for Haliburton to run the show. THT would thrive in Indy.
It won’t be pretty watching the Lakers flame out with LBJ, AD, and Brogdon all on the injured list. AD and Brogdon are chronically injured and James is too old to avoid injuries and recover quickly. James and AD need to be “dangled” if LA is too improve. Build a solid team and some superstar will eventually want to be part of the LAL brand.
Idk trade Julius Randle and Kendrick Nunn for say DeVonte Graham, Larry Nance and Garrett Temple.
Plus a couple moves in FA
Leaves you with
1. Brogdon. Graham. Augustine
2. Monk. Burks. Reaves
3. LBJ. Temple. Johnson
4. AD. Nance. Melo
5. Tristan Thompson (sign) Howard.
As you said good chance Brogdon AD and LBJ will miss games with injuries but you’re now got a deeper and better squad than last season.
Shooting wise your a lot better from outside which opens the floor up for LBJ. Thompson gives them steady minutes at centre and knows how to play with LBJ. Graham Burks Melo and Nance would be a very good bench unit. Overall I think you’d be aiming for 4th in the west but happy to make the playoffs with a healthy squad
If you’re calling your construction a starting point, then you know it would not end up that way. Looks one-sided for the team you’re doing it for.
Exactly why I made a Julius Randle trade in my reply and changed the line up
Wow…I thought I was low on Randle. So we’re giving up Randle and Burks for … nothing? The right to buy out Russell Westbrook?
I think Burks alone is worth more than that
Definitely a great deal for LA tho
For salary matching purpose, Lakers would demand RJ too
RJ would ask for Max salary from Knicks
Lakers would trade away RJ in February
Westbrook is hot product IMO
Ignore Sillivan, Knicks have been on the look out for ages for a quality starting point guard and that’s what Russ will give them.
Randle in NY leads them in points assists and rebounds but takes away minutes for Obi and hasn’t managed to work with RJ. Russ will do all that statistically and allow Obi to start and work with RJ.
Under Thibs I could see Russ dosing really wel in NY he plays at 110% will huddle and dive for everything and that’s how Thibs likes it. Think Russ would also be huge for developing IQ and those other young guards. Knicks would be a playoff side with Russ and Burks isn’t a big loss, you have DRose IQ Grimes McBride etc
I’ll agree that I could see Russ putting up big counting stats in NY sans Randle (if Julius can do it I think even an aged Russ can too). Not sure if that makes us a better team tho.
Disagree on Russ being a good influence on IQ, et al … also if we move Randle I think it’s to hand the keys over to RJ.
I do think there’s a deal where Russ ends up in NY. But I think NY gets some sort of draft comp and I think Russ ends up bought out shortly after.
Knick’s should trade Randle for Zion. Zion has declared he wants to be a Knick anyway. But Pel’s may not want Randle. Pel’s on their way up without Randle or Zion.
Yeah I think Knicks should push for Zion but if the Pelicans don’t budge at all then Russ for Randle would be a good move
so teams take lakers trash and supply them with good starters, gotcha
As I said I don’t see much value in Russ but I do see some. But these are apparently offers on the table (Brogdan, Heild, Hayward) not just my dumb ideas. I’m just run with it a little and put a twist on it.
Try use your brain and instead of just mocking someone actually come up with something yourself
Props for lining up the salaries smoothly but NO way Lakers get those dudes for a 2nd rder
I don’t see the Laker fit w Randle- Come up with a viable 3rd team to take on Randle theres probably a LAL Nwk 3rd team trade doable
In reference to the second rounder it’s a second rounder plus THT for Brogdon. Huge cap saving for the Pacers, plus a pick plus a promising young player. I actually think THT with Haliburton and Turner would be a nice place for him. Haliburton then gets to run the show and be the point guard. Bet THT thrives being away from LA like Randle, Ingram, Lonzo, Kuzma and other youngsters who have left.
I think would actually be a really good deal for the Pacers.
tht is underwater and doesn’t have much of a skill set to build off
Randle is a terrible fit on the lakers with Lebron and AD.
What’s Randle gonna do when Lebron dominates the ball
Laskers DNA is as follows:
Defense is practicing social distancing.
Shooting the air ball
legend’s retirement speech
Are you drunk?
Lebron is going to make his bosses angry in China if he doesn’t take this 2 year extension.
Wow $97 million for a GM that runs your franchise into the ground. BRON BRON is the smartest just ask him. Yes I am a hater of the Ego Maniac
BRON BRON should have went to college so he would know what a higher level of thinking is. He definitely shows he is just high school level.
LeGM won in Miami, Won in Cleveland when they let him play GM, and won in LA.
Did you not watch the NBA the last decade where LBJ was in the finals for 8 straight years?
Not a hater, but I cannot understand how anyone, much less LeBron himself, thought that trading for Westbrook was a good idea. Everyone knows LeBron needs teammates who can defend and shoot, and Westbrook is about the worst in the league at both.
Westbrick and Wall are now “assets” and they’ll give 2 teams a clean slate for the 23-24 salary cap.
Pacers, Hornets, Clippers, Knicks, Nets, and Mavs all have some so-so to garbage contracts they may want to get out of now.
Randle, Fournier, and Walker for Westbrook and whatever distant picks and swaps they can muster.
Randle not a fit with AD, unless AD COMMITS TO PLAYING CENTER FULL TIME. Fournier would help with shooting…Walker is toast with chronic knee pain, a throw in… Yes, a trade that would benefit the Lakers… giving RANDLE away, selling low, getting out of his contract… With Westbrick, blocking IQ development at point guard, along with other young guards… Hey, Knicks still a work in progress… if Knicks get 2027 & 2029 1st round picks may not be bad…throw in THT??
No defense for the Lakers, they are still a terrible team after that trade so why make it
Dallas… Only one that can get through to Westbrick is Jason Kidd. Stagger him and Luka’s minutes. Lessen Luka’s usage rate if playing together. For one year you can get rid of Bertans, Hardaway, Dinwittie, or combination of. ALSO, BRUNSON’S VALUE HIGH, Trade him to KNICKS for Randle & 1st round picks. Dallas will be active…Lakers can use Dinwittie, shooting in Bertans & Hardaway.. Could be win win for both teams…WHAT DO YOU THINK???
Dallas hiring Kidd has really expanded their potential options. Randle, RW
A 180+ million payroll with Westbrook on it?
I don’t see Dallas anywhere near RW
They wouldn’t have a 180M payroll. It would be Luka, Westbrook and Randle as the high dollar players. In his scenario, Dinwiddie, Bertans, Brunson, and possibly THJ are all gone.