In a twist of events, the Los Angeles Lakers may have found a new trade partner.
The primary deal being reported in recent days involved Sacramento Kings sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield, but it seems, for the time being, that the deal has fallen through.
The deal with Sacramento was likely contingent on Montrezl Harrell’s future with the Lakers. Harrell had a pending player option he needed to make a decision on, and he recently opted in.
Since the Lakers now have Harrell’s $9.7 million salary to play with, they could include him in a trade for an upgrade.
It’s looking like Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards could be that player, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Lakers and Wizards are in serious talks on a Russell Westbrook trade to L.A., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Westbrook has become the Lakers‘ primary focus. He would give them a dynamic playmaker alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021
The Lakers would acquire Westbrook while Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 overall pick would head to the Wizards.
Westbrook makes over $44 million next season, which is why the Lakers must include those three players in order to match the salaries.
Westbrook would bestow the playmaking presence the Lakers are desperately craving, but he doesn’t solve the need for shooting; he made 31.5 percent of his threes last season on 4.2 attempts and is a career 30.5 percent 3-point shooter.
The deal isn’t official yet, but it looks like it has the most momentum.
However, a deal can’t be made official until Aug. 6 because of Kuzma’s contract that includes a poison pill.
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