With the Nets’ statement that they and Kevin Durant intend to “move forward” with their partnership, the Lakers’ approach regarding Russell Westbrook actually becomes clearer, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
Now that a potential Kyrie Irving trade involving Westbrook is presumably off the table, the Lakers are free to explore alternatives, Woike explains. It could facilitate their decision regarding whether they’ll ride with Westbrook in the upcoming season or deal him to another potential suitor.
We have more on the Lakers:
- LeBron James‘ decision to sign a two-year extension this summer shows that winning another title is no longer his primary goal, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter (video link). Instead, it shows he’s content to stay put, even though the Lakers haven’t made a major move this summer, and he’s also intent on eventually playing with his son Bronny. “With this decision by LeBron, you really see his two biggest priorities — priority one is being a Los Angeles Laker, priority two is leaving the door open to play with his son in two years,” Windhorst said. “Winning championships is still high on that list but it seems like it’s a little bit more in third position.”
- Assuming the Lakers don’t bring in another major piece, what kind of lineups could they construct to produce the best results? Jovan Buha of The Athletic explores this topic, including his suggestion of the best “closing unit” on the roster — a group that includes James, Anthony Davis, Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson and Austin Reaves.
- The Lakers reportedly have some interest in bringing back Dennis Schröder. Get the details here.
Lakers should trade AD, LBJ and Westbrick and start all over again. Ain’t no way they’ll make the playoffs.
I got Clippers-Nuggets-Grizzlies-Warriors-Timberwolves-Suns-Mavs-NO coming out the WC.
That proposed closing lineup would have NO shooting to it. Yuck, what a sad sack season this will be for LAL.
If LeBron James and Anthony Davis healthy they will make the playoffs with Russell Westbrook on the roster or not. Yes the West is extremely loaded but LeBron James is still playing at a high level. Anthony Davis will be healthy this season and look more like he did his first season on the Los Angeles Lakers. Darvin Ham will play him more at Power Forward and play more to his strengths. Their closing lineup might be Anthony Davis LeBron James Austin Reaves Kendrick Nunn and Lonnie Walker IV.
I can’t see them being more than a bubble team. 9th or 10th seed in the bubble. Their bench is not strong enough to get out of the bubble.
I honestly think they better than a play in team but the jury is still out because they let all them old guys go and got some nice young fresh legs to put around Russell Westbrook and LeBron James. Both guys like to get out in the open court and in transition.
Now that KD and KI appear seethe in Brooklyn and won’t be moved now the Lakers can forget about that and out there attention to other ways of getting rid of Russ
Getting involved in a Donovan Mitchell deal should be the first option
I wouldn’t want Fournier and/or Randle. A Bojan, Clarkson, and Beverley package is much better use for Brick and 2 1sts.
Turner and Hield for Brick and 2 firsts doesn’t sound like it’s of interest to the Pacers, and until Miles Bridges legal issues are solved probably curtails the Hornets from being involved just yet.
September frees up a ton of traded players to be traded yet again
I’m not sure the Knicks would even entertain sending Fournier and Randle to LAL for Westbrook and two 1sts. Even though it would clear Fournier and Randle’s salaries, it would make them a much worse team right now and the Lakers picks are too far away.
No, Brick would go to Utah in a DM to NYK deal.
I think it’s likely Fournier would be included to go to Lakers with Conley, pat bev and rudy gay for Westbrook, Horton tucker and picks.
Rather keep rw and those picks than that trade lol
It would be a very sad state of affairs if LBJ’s priority at his age was ring chasing, as a matter of fact ring chasing is sad at any age!
I don’t think ring chasing is his priority because he chose money instead of taking a paycut to help the team get better fitting pieces
@GardoValiente… Real sad when a player leaves money on the table so a multi billionaire can save money, it’s an owner’s job and obligation to pay as much as possible to make a winning team, never a good thing when a player have to cut his hard earned wages!
Lakers will be worse than last year. And that’s saying something cause they were a dumpster fire.
The Lakers deserve this. They abandoned their rebuild for a quick fix. And other than winning the Covid Bowl, they have nothing to show for it. They will continue to be bad for years to come.
COVID Bowl LOL the rest of the league couldn’t do it cuz they were weaker at heart and softer mentally, Lakers keep doing what you do go all in everytime bringing those champions whenever you can better than most of the league just crossing there fingers LOL