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Credit: Fadeaway World
With his value at rock bottom, no one knows for sure if the Lakers will manage to move on from Russell Westbrook before his contract expires next summer. As an aging and outdated veteran who plays little to no defense, he is considered a negative asset in the eyes of most pundits.
Still, not all teams are willing to trade for him. Although the options are limited, the Lakers have a number of teams they might be able to strike a deal with.
According to Shams Charania, those teams include the Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
Utah, New York and Indiana are among teams that have discussed deals with the Lakers involving Russell Westbrook and the capital draft, sources said. There doesn’t appear to be an imminent deal in those conversations – as the overall trade market unfolds over the next two months of the offseason.
At the moment, it’s hard to see how Westbrook would help the Knicks. Based on his history and status as an All-Star level player, Russ has the potential to provide a major spark for the team, especially if he is allowed to play his game. Still, he could slow development of RJ Barrett, who has yet to live up to expectations as the 3rd overall pick.
In Utah, Westbrook would likely be a rental player with no use to the team other than providing a draft pick and clearing cap space when he finally leaves in free agency. The same could be said for the Pacers, who are clearly determined to help Tyrese Haliburton become the franchise’s next big star.
So all three teams have their own reasons for and against Westbrook’s trade. On the pitch, we have all seen what he has become. But in the right environment, for the right price, a deal for the disgruntled point guard could do more good than harm.
At this point it’s anyone’s guess where he will end up, but the Lakers will keep trying until the situation is sorted out.
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