NBA Trade Rumors: Jazz and Lakers have more discussions about Russell Westbrook
The Lakers are still looking for upgrades at the deadline. NBA trade rumors indicate that they’ve had Russell Westbrook talks with the Jazz.
According to Chris Haynes, the Jazz, and Lakers have had exploratory talks about a possible Russell Westbrook trade. While Haynes does not mention in the report who the Lakers would be getting back in such a deal, one would assume Mike Conley Jr. and some combination of Malik Beasley, Jordan Clarkson, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Kelly Olynyk/Rudy Gay.
The exact return beyond Conley seems to vary based on the draft compensation the Lakers would send back beyond one first-rounder. Haynes does say in the report that multiple teams have already offered a first for Beasley, so it seems like he is out unless the Lakers are sending both of their future first-round picks to the Jazz.
What could the Lakers get back for Russell Westbrook?
The logical return for a deal involving Russ could be Conley and Clarkson or really any of the rest of the Jazz vets. Jarred Vanderbilt could be added to the deal as well, but he is probably the only young player who could be moved in a potential deal.
While it is not absolutely guaranteed that a deal will happen, it seems this report at least signals that the Lakers are trying to move Russ at the deadline. Early in the season, a deal seemed imminent but they had signaled in recent weeks a willingness to hold onto him if the right deal didn’t emerge.
The Lakers could only use one first-round pick in this deal and use Beverley’s salary and the other pick to try and entice the Pistons for a deal involving Bojan Bogdanovic. As Haynes (and others) have reported, a deal for Bogdanovic seems unlikely as the Pistons want to hold on to Bogdanovic beyond this year but it’s worth a try.
The Lakers’ next couple of games against the Pelicans, and Thunder are crucial to winning because it shows management that the Lakers are a lot closer to contending, which means Rob Pelinka is more likely to make a deal involving those 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.
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