Earlier today, Sam Amik reported that the Lakers believed that Westbrook's game effect was not up to expectations, and had secretly revealed that they wanted to trade it. Obviously, it doesn't make much sense to trade Wall with Westbrook, and it doesn't make much sense to trade Westbrook for Lillard or Ben Simmons, so if the Lakers want to get rid of Westbrook's contract this season, what kind of deal should the team seek? Recently, Lake Show Life has made a proposal that is likely to be reached.
The team that may reach a deal with the Lakers is the Orlando Magic, and the specific deal plan is that the Lakers get Gary Harris, Terrance Rose and Robin Lopez, the Magic get Westbrook, and there is a first-round swap in the future first-round pick.
It seems that the Magic team does not have a top star in the chips provided, so why would the Lakers make such a deal? Simply put, it is money, through the transaction, the Lakers not only sent a player who is not suitable for the team in all aspects, do not forget the existence of Westbrook, but also seriously affected the team's operating space.
If this is Westbrook's contract year, the Lakers could consider swallowing the poison, gamble a lot, and if they don't reach their desired goals, they can make a comeback in the next offseason. But Westbrook is a player option next season, worth a total of $47 million, and it's clear that Westbrook is unlikely to choose to refuse, and if it enters the free market, Westbrook may have a hard time getting a contract for more than three years.
This also means that with Westbrook, the Lakers may face the same dilemma next season as this season. Last summer, it was because of The Westbrook's joining, so the Lakers could only sign some veterans, and could only renew Horton Tucker. If such a deal is made, the Lakers salary will have better flexibility, gary Harris and Robin López are expiring contracts, and Terrance Rose's contract has another year to expire, $11.5 million this season.
Westbrook's salary next year is $47 million, and Terrence-Rose's $11.5 million annual salary is relatively better handled. Such an operation can also allow the Lakers to better build a lineup around James and Anthony Davis. For the Lakers, they could give up some draft picks and facilitate a deal.
The team has won the championship in the past six times, and the core is actually not selected by the Lakers themselves. For example, O'Neal and James are free agents, Kobe Bryant is traded from the Hornets, and Paul Gasol and Anthony Davis are all traded.
So why did the Magic make such a deal?
Today's Magic are in a state of rebuilding, eating westbrook's contract and not letting them trigger the luxury tax line. Through the trade, they will also be able to get more draft picks, which will undoubtedly be more conducive to their reconstruction. Needless to say, this season, the Magic don't want to win more games, they definitely want to get a high pick pick. To solve this problem, the Magic could, like Rockets DNP John Wall, have Westbrook take a break for the rest of the season and then negotiate a buyout in the offseason.
in Kelsang