With coaching camp nearing, the choices for a Russell Westbrook commerce have been rapidly evaporating for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2 doable touchdown spots at this level many have talked about are the Indiana Pacers and the Utah Jazz, and each are reportedly demanding two future first-round draft picks from L.A., a value it appears unwilling to pay to eliminate Westbrook.
However in accordance with one NBA reporter, there could also be a brand new potential commerce associate for the Lakers, and it’s an unlikely one certainly.
By way of Warmth Nation:
“NBA executives and scouts appear to suppose that the Miami Warmth could be an fascinating touchdown spot for Westbrook.
“‘Even then, crew executives and scouts may solely give you one potential touchdown spot: the Miami Warmth,’ wrote Ric Bucher of Fox Sports activities. ‘Group president Pat Riley has a historical past of cultivating fiery aggressive gamers, from Alonzo Mourning to Brian Grant to Jimmy Butler. He hoped that time guard Kyle Lowry could be the ending piece to a different championship-caliber crew final season, however after posting the very best document within the East, the crew misplaced to Boston within the convention finals. Lowry, tormented by a number of nagging accidents, performed in solely 10 of their 18 postseason contests and was a shell of himself, averaging 7.8 factors on 29.1 % capturing. Relying on how this season goes for the Warmth normally and Lowry particularly, Westbrook is perhaps a worthwhile gamble.’
“‘”It is smart,” an Japanese Convention govt stated. “Miami believes they will rehabilitate anybody.”‘”
It might be laborious for Lakers followers to think about somebody as mercurial and cussed as Westbrook becoming in with the Warmth’s famed tradition, however he may very nicely give them the extra professional scoring risk they’ve lacked.
If Riley and the Warmth have been truly prepared to assist the Lakers, a possible commerce might have to finish up involving Lowry, a participant they have been reportedly focused on halfway by way of the 2020-21 season.
Nevertheless, Lowry appears to be in sluggish decline. He averaged simply 13.4 factors per sport final 12 months, his lowest such output in over a decade.
The 36-year-old level guard has two seasons left on his contract at practically $30 million every year. It has been speculated the Lakers wish to get beneath the wage cap subsequent summer time to be able to make one other run at Kyrie Irving, this time as a free agent.