After a dazzling performance by their young talent in Summer League, the years of rebuilding is seeming worth it. The D’Angelo Russell “trade talks” have been seemingly quiet after a strong LVSL showing and Brandon Ingram’s name hasn’t come up in a sentence without mention of Kevin Durant. Durant’s now former teammate, Russell Westbrook, has been the biggest talking point of the offseason sans KD’s departure to the Warriors.
Westbrook’s name instantly was linked to the Lakers in terms of a potential trade, and it seems the Thunder have at least discussed sending Westbrook to Los Angeles, according to SBNation’s (WTLC) Adam Joseph.
per sources, Presti discussed Westbrook deals with several different teams (inc. SAS, MIL, LAL, BOS), but no middle ground was found.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
deals included players & picks from BOS, LAL. Spurs deal was player centric, Bucks very keen but backed away w/o an extension guarantee.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
Could Westbrook be the ‘mystery player’ the Lakers are looking to make a deal for? The Lakers would be able to put together a package worthwhile for Oklahoma City, but without a guarantee of an extension from Westbrook, a deal does not seem worthwhile for Los Angeles. They’d likely have to part ways with one or even likelier two of D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson. Not to mention the offer would probably include multiple future draft picks.
However, the Lakers are (unsurprisingly) confident they can sign Westbrook in the 2017 offseason. Would Westbrook be interested in a homecoming? Given the type of player he is, it would not be shocking to hear of the Lakers selling him on the opportunity to face off against Durant and the Warriors four times a year.
Maybe Westbrook is keen to the idea of leaving OKC.
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) July 22, 2016
