Fansided

Lakers are targeting Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook trade this offseason

By Josh Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns as he spins in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns as he spins in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
facebooktwitterreddit

LeBron James and the Lakers have their sights set on two top point guards this offseason.

With the NBA Finals over and the Milwaukee Bucks champions of the world, attention will now shift league-wide to where it’s been for the 28 teams not in the title game.

It’s the offseason, which means that the sound you’re hearing is the winds of the rumor mill blowing faster and harder by the minute.

Rumors have already been swirling while the NBA Playoffs were taking center stage, but as the dust settles on the Finals, more and more teams will become the focal point of various rumors. You don’t even need to look very far from Game 6 to see the rumblings, as Chris Paul became the subject of rumors as soon as the buzzer sounded.

Paul was asked about his upcoming free agency in the Suns postgame press conference but was understandably not in the mood to answer. The question of where he’ll play in 2022 lines up as a potential answer for the Los Angeles Lakers quest for a point guard this summer.

Lakers Rumors: L.A. targeting Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook?

According to Marc J. Spears from The Undefeated, the Lakers are already eyeing two big-time point guard acquisitions this offseason. One would be to bring LeBron’s buddy Chris Paul to Los Angeles in free agency, and the other would be a trade with the Wizards that lands the Lakers Russell Westbrook.

"According to sources, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have been on the hunt for veteran point guard, and Paul is on the list. There have also been talks about Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook being a potential candidate to move back home to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade deal that could include free agent point guard Dennis Schroder, forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Talen Horton-Tucker, sources said."

Paul makes a ton of sense for the Lakers given a few different, if not glaringly obvious, factors:

  1. He’s BFFs with LeBron
  2. Hollywood served him well when he was with the Clippers
  3. Speaking of which, he can get revenge on the Clippers in LA
  4. The Lakers are perhaps his best and most obvious shot to finally win a ring
  5. Los Angeles desperately needs a point guard and more veteran help

The stars seemingly align when it comes to Chris Paul Does L.A.: The Sequel, but the mention of Westbrook is very intriguing. Take a triple-double machine and plug him into a lineup with LeBron and Anthony Davis, and all of a sudden the Lakers have a powerful Big 3.

NBA free agency doesn’t officially open until after the NBA Draft later this month, but already the Lakers are emerging from the shadows of the Finals and making a summer splash.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers