On January 31, Beijing time, ESPN salary expert Bobby Max, who served as the deputy general manager of the Nets, recruited the Knicks in a podcast show, believing that the Knicks needed Westbrook's energy the most and suggested a 3-for-2 deal for the Knicks.
"(If I were Knicks general manager) I would call the Lakers for Westbrook... I'm willing to offer Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Fournier for Westbrook and the Lakers' 2027 first-round picks (lotto protection). It would be a trade I would be willing to make. ”
Zach Lowey, an expert who does the show with him, said the Lakers were reluctant to give up their first-round picks, and there had been reports that the Rockets wanted to trade Wall for Westbrook and the first-round pick, but the Lakers didn't want to take the first round to send Westbrook away.
Max believes the main beneficiary of the deal is the Knicks, as the Knicks' "sleepy" game requires a shot of tonic, and Westbrook is the guy who can bring them energy. Of course, the Lakers will also gain something, because Wei Shao is not suitable for the Lakers' system, James needs shooters more around him, and shooters can reduce pressure for him. So Max suggested that the Knicks replace Westbrook with three defenders: Walker, Burks and Fournier.
Max points out that Westbrook is a fighter and that the Knicks' environment is more suitable for him. For the Lakers, adding three out-of-the-box musketeers is also a good choice. Walker is also the all-Star guard of yesteryear. So far this season, Westbrook has averaged 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three-point range. Walker averaged 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and 37.9 percent from three-point range, Fournier averaged 13.6 points per game and 39 percent from three-point range, and Burks averaged 11 points per game and 39.2 percent from three-point range.
Of course, this is just Max's personal advice. It is widely believed that the chances of the Lakers trading Westbrook are low, and the team that the league is interested in him is almost zero.