It’s no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers are finding it quite difficult to find a trade partner for Russell Westbrook. The 33-year-old’s gargantuan contract is without a doubt the biggest stumbling block in any potential deal, with Russ set to pocket no less than $47.1 million this coming season.
As it turns out, however, the Utah Jazz have now emerged as a possible destination for the former league MVP. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, this prospect is now picking up steam:
“If [Donovan] Mitchell is ultimately moved, and the Jazz are just kind of a wasteland of young picks or young players and draft picks, there has been increasing talk around the league about teams wondering if the Jazz would be a potential landing spot for the Lakers to send Russell Westbrook, where they could potentially get Patrick Beverley and other salary back,” said Fischer on a recent episode of his podcast (h/t Zach Stevens of Lakers Daily).
“I’m not saying that’s been discussed. I’m not saying it’s likely to happen, but in theory if the Jazz in this rebuild, who just want picks, can get one or two picks from the Lakers to get an expiring contract and buy Russell Westbrook out, it seems like a scenario people around the league believe to at least be plausible.”
Jake Fischer on what’s new with the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/CKcrSVO92B
— Swiderman (@LeSwiderman) July 15, 2022
If the Jazz succeed in trading away Donovan Mitchell, then they’re definitely headed for a full rebuild. They will be needing as many future assets as they can get their hands on, and the Lakers could offer a handful of future draft picks along with Westbrook. Utah will also be able to get Patrick Beverley’s salary off their books, along with a few other veteran players by sending them to LA in exchange for Russ.
Ultimately, Westbrook gets bought out by the Jazz and he ends up becoming a free agent. He will then be free to join the team of his choosing. A win-win scenario for all parties involved, I guess.
