Russell Westbrook and D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers are still in the midst of trade rumors as the team seems to be gearing up for one big trade.
The rumors sprung from a report from Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders who declared that the Lakers |held off on signing Tarik Black, Marcelo Huertas and second-overall pick Brandon Ingram, keeping an eye on what could be $13.6 million in cap room (assuming the team also waives and stretched Nick Young)."
He mentioned an "unnamed target" via trade or possibly "another opportunistic (Jose) Calderon-like deal."
There were different "suspects" about the target but one popular opinion stated that it was Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now it has been confirmed by Adam Joseph of SB Nation.
per sources, Presti discussed Westbrook deals with several different teams (inc. SAS, MIL, LAL, BOS), but no middle ground was found.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
deals included players & picks from BOS, LAL. Spurs deal was player centric, Bucks very keen but backed away w/o an extension guarantee. — Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
The debate has raged among Lakers fans on whether the team should trade for Westbrook. The main argument is that the Lakers apparently have the best chance of re-signing the dominant triple-double machine if and when he tests free agency. Pundits cite Westbrook's personality, lifestyle and even fashion sense to show that he's a "big city" type of person who relishes the limelight. That seems like a perfect fit for the Lakers.
However, if the Lakers pass on the opportunity to trade for him, there is a chance that he could be drawn to the team that has traded for him. One example is the Boston Celtics who now have a star player in Al Horford.
The Celtics can sell Westbrook on their coach Brad Stevens, the easier path to the Finals in the Eastern Conference and their chest of trade assets that could net them another star player via trade. If the Celtics trade for Westbrook and somehow keep some of their trade assets, they can make a playoff run and Westbrook might not consider leaving anymore.
The Lakers' dilemma is that trading for Westbrook would decimate their team. It is assumed that for the Thunder to entertain anything, they would need to send one or most likely two of their young core players: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle.
It seems like D'Angelo Russell would definitely be a requirement for the Thunder as he will assume point guard duties. Adding another from the core will leave the Lakers severely weakened and might not even make the playoffs even with Westbrook around.
