Russell Westbrook (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers may have to wait until next summer before they could get their hands on Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers have been touted as one of the potential landing spots for Westbrook, who has been in the heat of trade talks in recent weeks.
There are speculations about the Lakers trading a handful of their young talents, including D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram, to acquire Westbrook, but many believe it would be wise for LA to wait until the summer of 2017 before pursuing the OKC Thunder star.
While there are plenty of teams expected to make a run at Westbrook come free agency next year, SB Nation's Adam Joseph believes there is "45 percent" Westbrook joins the Lakers next summer.
"Los Angeles would allow Westbrook to pursue outside business (meaning fashion) interests a lot easier than he could ever imagine. As a free agent this destination is a lot more desirable than trade, and if he were to arrive earlier than next summer via trade it could gut their young growing roster," Joseph wrote.
With Westbrook showing no indications of signing an extension with the Thunder, hopes are all high for the Lakers to finally snag a marquee free agent from the market, although the competition will be very stiff to land the services of the 28-year-old point guard.
Westbrook, a California native who also played college basketball in UCLA, has also been heavily linked to the Boston Celtics and a handful of teams looking to significantly improve their roster. Like the Lakers, the Celtics have plenty of assets to entice the Thunder in a blockbuster trade, but Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe claimed "there is no big deal right now" regarding a potential deal for Westbrook.
Regarding potential Celtics trades. Source: "There is no big deal right now."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 23, 2016
This could mean the Celtics may also try to wait for Westbrook to hit free agency, which could make it difficult for the Lakers to stage a homecoming for Westbrook next year. Unlike the Lakers, the Celtics have more established key players and a proven All-Star caliber talent in Al Horford. If Westbrook opts to chase a championship ring, there is no doubt Beantown would be on top of his list.
But according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the "Lakers think they can sign" Westbrook next summer, although the Lakers have not been an attractive destination for top free agents in the past few seasons.
Nevertheless, it would still behoove the Lakers to hit all the stops in signing Westbrook if no trade comes up before the Feb. 18 deadline.
