Basketball fans were told to expect chaos within the NBA this offseason; it appears we’re close to getting it. Russell Westbrook could soon be on the move.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards are having trade discussions that would send Westbrook to L.A., according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Westbrook reportedly wants out of D.C., and the Lakers are his “preferred destination.”
The Wizards, meanwhile, would potentially receive Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in return. The Lakers’ No. 22 pick may also be included for Westbrook.
The Lakers have been wanting to add a third star for a year now. It appears they’re on the verge of doing so. Westbrook could be on his way to Los Angeles by the end of the night.
The Lakers and Wizards are discussing a trade that would send Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Westbrook, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Lakers’ No. 22 pick in the Draft could be in play, too. https://t.co/RQOnlyVnBS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021
This would completely change the current NBA landscape.
Don’t forget the Lakers are just a season removed from winning a championship. And they put up an impressive fight against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs without a healthy Anthony Davis.
Westbrook doesn’t exactly solve any of the Lakers’ problems. He’s not an elite shooter, can often be inconsistent and can be turnover-prone. But the Lakers may not care.
LeBron James‘ championship teams have always been built on gritty, intense and down-hill players. Perhaps the Lakers want to stay true to their identity of toughness by landing one of the grittier, explosive guards in the NBA.
It looks like the Lakers will have a new big three by the end of the night.
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