The Lakers have “some interest” in Jazz veterans Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson, but are still trying to maintain their cap room for 2023, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports (Twitter links). The Lakers currently project to have about $30MM in cap room next summer.
As Zillgitt observes, Conley’s $24.36MM salary for 2023/24 is partially guaranteed at $14.32MM, while Clarkson has a player option worth $14.26MM, which may affect how much interest L.A. has in the two guards.
Bogdanovic is on a $19.55MM expiring contract, and several teams are reportedly pursuing the 33-year-old forward, a talented scorer and shooter who has converted at least 38.7% of his three-point tries in each of the last five seasons.
In order to match salaries, Russell Westbrook‘s $47.1MM expiring deal would have to be sent to Utah, because the Lakers don’t have any tradable mid-sized contracts. If they don’t want to take on money beyond next season, a package of Bogdanovic, Malik Beasley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker theoretically works for salary-matching purposes, and all are on expiring or pseudo-expiring deals (there’s a ’23/24 team option for Beasley at $16.52MM).
However, it’s unclear if the Lakers would be interested in that scenario, considering the Jazz might ask for both of the Lakers’ available first-round picks (2027 and 2029). Utah is in the middle of a roster teardown, with a particular emphasis on accumulating unprotected first-rounders.
In other Lakers-related news, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reassesses the team’s depth chart and rotation after acquiring Patrick Beverley from Utah in exchange for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson. Sources tell Buha that Thomas Bryant and Austin Reaves have been “standout performers” in offseason workouts, and Buha currently has both players slotted in the starting lineup at center and shooting guard, respectively.
Appropriate line/angle taken in by Jeanie Imo, the one I’d hoped she would stick too all along
3rd team could definitely make it easier, and Utah should be motivated to fill in the gaps if both picks are completely unprotected. Jeanie should try and move swiftly tho as Im sure Utahs getting a ton of calls these days.
Fair trade is
1 unprotected First
1 lottery protected First
Beasley is overpaid
Fair trade is send us A.D. and Westbrook for all three. No draft picks.
Alt would be Westbrook for for Beasley and Bogdan and the 2023 to protected top 7 first rounder.
Jazz should roll with Clarkson, Bogdonavic, Conley and Beasley, what the hell do they need more picks for?
I’m interested in seeing how this Jazz team comes together, but if they trade what’s left of their core the rebuild becomes uninteresting.
I think the Jazz can make the playoffs this season and beat the Lakers, that would be the ultimate win for the Jazz. They should at least give themselves a shot to beat the Lakers this season, and the Clippers for that matter.
That is if the Lakers will make the playoffs
More picks allow you to be a team who can “overpay” to add pieces via trade. Biggest problem Utah has right now is Too Much talent left on the roster. Trade it away other than pieces you are interested in building around. You need a couple of Top 5 picks, and you need to hit on one of them. Utah is not a destination big time free agents tend to choose.
If Lakers don’t trade away all first round picks
2 reasons Kings will win more games than Lakers every season next 3 seasons
1 Davis and LeBron will miss many games
2 Harrison Barnes and Huerter are better than those lakers bench
Westbrook is overrated by Buss and Ham
I definitely don’t understand trading Clarkson away, but there’s no way this Jazz team can beat the Clippers next season #BballCrazy
Lakers did not offer both picks to Jazz for helping Knicks land Mitchell
Actually, they did at one point. However, they weren’t interested in taking on Westbrook’s salary. Later it was the Lakers asking for too much for those two draft picks.
Now, the Jazz have too many players on their roster. They need to consolidate. However, they do have many offers for Bojan already.
The Lakers draft picks are the only reason the Jazz would do it, and take on Westbrook’s contract. But the Lakers would need to take back enough salary or the Jazz are in the Luxury tax for draft picks.
That’s a lot to ask for one unprotected and one protected pick. The Lakers are getting quality veterans and getting rid of a massive contract. Can’t be cheap if you want people to do business with you again.
Looks like the only news is that the Lakers have “some interest” in Jazz veterans. Could be several: Conley, Bojan, Clarkson, Beasley, and Gay. Doubt they could afford them all.
The Suns want Bojan. The Sixers fans say they hear their front office want Bojan. I can imagine the Heat would need Bojan. Doubt he goes for cheap.
Warriors possibly linked to Rudy Gay as a replacement for Iggy, if he retires.
I could see the Heat wanting Clarkson or Beasley as well as Bojan. They’ve already been talking to the Jazz recently. A trade just needs tweaking.
Spoiler Alert!!! This deal is too one-sided for the Lakers. the Jazz have pieces people want. Albeit, may have some hair on it, ala Conley deal, but it’s manageable. Whereas nobody wants to buyout Westbrook, especially knowing what happend with Wall. Too much evidence say contrary to this speculation. The only thing close would involve guys from NY with those bloated deals, which accumulative, pricey than Westbrook and may be more challenging to move individually. So 3way with Utah, NY, and LAL which includes the picks and maybe Reaves
How does Mike Conley, Jr. help the Los Angeles Lakers????? Westbrook is the more serviceable of the two players at this point. If Lakers are struggling to find a role for Westbrook ….. How does Conley equate to anything more than 5-10 minutes per game?? Why bother unless getting a significant other piece in return as well.
Please research the heavy rumor that the Lakers are considering sending Westbrook away. He’s that bad. Plus they brought in Beverly who’ll do what Westbrook didn’t. I’m sorry, but I think you’re way off here. Conley Plus others is better than Westbrook. He’s a bad player plus a bad fit for that team, w/ an atrocious contract
Westbrook would be serviceable if he would embrace being a “role” player off the bench. If Kendrick Nunn continues to be slow in recovering, which he appears to be …. Then you will need Westbrook to provide offense getting to the rim off the bench. That is not Patrick Beverley and that is not Mike Conley.
The reports on Kendrick Nunn are very similar to Lonzo Ball. Now he is STILL not a full go after missing ALL of last year???? Be concerned!
Lakers need to focus on Malik Beasley and Jarryd Vanderbilt. Those are the players on the Utah roster that can help the Lakers. Yup. You will have to dig into those last two unprotected 1sts. Ease the blow and have draft pick-rich Utah send you back some 2nd round picks in Bronny and also Bryce James’ NBA draft years. You won’t have any draft capital left, but at least you should be all even with LeBron, and he will then hopefully ease up on his GM duties a bit.
Omari agree Conley is better than RW but…..
My man, the headline of this article ^^^^
Conelys salary next year creates another RW situation of this year/Not happening, pretty easy to see even without an article with it in the headline!
Conley is partially guaranteed under $15M next year. RW is fully guaranteed at $47M or so this yr. Massive difference. You get out of RW mess this year w serviceable PG which Beverley really isnt a true PG, and buy him out next year. It makes more sense.
Mike Conley is a good 3 point shooter and is far less turnover prone compared to Westbrook. Conley will be a better fit
You’re familiar with the difference between Conley and Russ? Mike can play off ball, shoot, and is much more under control than Russ. Plus he’s low maintenance and accepts a role. All the opposite of Russ.
Danny Ainge is trying to make UTAH as bad as they can be to get Wembanyama in the next draft, basically is trying to emulate the Hinkie rebuild… only difference is that he will never be as good as Hinkie was, tough times ahead in mormonland!
LAL want role players on expiring contracts. In other words, one year rentals. For unprotected picks?
I don’t know. Looks like it ain’t worth it.
Especially if they plan on signing Kyrie in the offseason, you need that cap room.
Maybe trade for players bird rights. But one year rentals are not worth it.
Let’s just say hypothetically the initial 3-for-1 happens. That leaves LAL with an opening night roster of:
[starting five (possibly)]
LeBron
AD
Pat Bev
Conley
Bogdan
[rotation]
Reaves
Clarkson
T. Bryant
Lonnie Walker
Nunn
JTA
Damian Jones
Cole Swider
At the very least, this team seems like it would be much, much improved from last season, with the obvious caveat that LeBron and AD have to have some luck on the health front.
A closing lineup that included AD, Pat Bev, and Bogdan would feature three plus defenders, plus LeBron and Conley who may not be plus anymore, but are at least extremely high in basketball IQ. All five are capable of creating a little, and all five are threats from 3 with the exception of AD.
I think that’s a top tier closing lineup if healthy. Bench might need some tweaking but there’s enough there to cobble together a decent rotation. Having Clarkson to basically try and outscore opposing bench units would be an asset.
So GMBron has let his prize pick. Get lambasted in the media. And in his own city. Even had to endure kissing up to Beverly.
Why would you even want to play in LA at this point.
There is no way I see Westbrook ever playing in Utah. All these trade scenarios for Westbrook. Only show the ineptitude of the media. And their hunger for news. It’s sad really …….
Lakers getting Jazz players is actually a good move. Although there is no way they can be thinking about cap space. I mean that’s FN hilarious.
Westbrook would never report to Utah. And they would have buy him out. Is only scenario I see there.
Then he can come to NY. You can start next to Jalen, oh yeah. We got you brother.
Or he could go to Dallas and start next to Luka. Ha!
Yeah that works too. LA trades Westbrook. He will get bought out. And come back to haunt them. I believe that
why would you want to play for the Knicks? They’re always being rumored to get the next big free agent or a star in a trade yet haven’t got a single one in a decade
Westbrook gets bought out. And you need an explanation on where he would play. Try another sport
Why are you interested in Westbrook?
He can’t shoot, He doesn’t defend and has a low basketball IQ for a point guard (As seen in his propensity for bonehead plays)
Signing Jalen Brunson is already a huge win for the Knicks.
Lakers need to decide how to offload Westbrick ASAP. Whether Jazz or Pacers, why delay, the picks will have to be involved.
Exactly, lakers are too slow
Both picks are needed
Jazz should have no interest in Westbrook, not a great role model for young players. Besides, why help Lakers?
Just do Conley Clarkson Bogdanovic for Westbrook and the unprotected 1sts.
Youre trying to win with Bron and AD.
Conley Clarkson and Bogdanovic help a lot more than Westbrook does.
Plus in 2027 2029 Lakers are probably going to pay some dude lots of money to be face of the franchise anyways. Theyre the Lakers. Theyll spend more so than draft.