Trade rumor: Are the Knicks interested in trading with the Lakers for Russell Westbrook?
Los Angeles Lakers star point guard Russell Westbrook has exercised his player option to stay with Los Angeles, but he could still be part of future trades.
The future of star point guard Russell Westbrook had been long appeared uncertain, until he decided to exercise his $47 million player option to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. His future is tied up with the Lakers, at least for one more year.
This does not mean that Los Angeles will not trade him, especially after the LeBron-Westbrook experiment failed miserably last season. The franchise would want to make the most of James’ last few years in the NBA, and the 2017 NBA MVP has proven to be a less-than-ideal player for LeBron to shine with.
Knicks could trade for Westbrook
Speculations abound as to possible trades involving Westbrook, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the New York Knicks could consider trading for the 33-year-old if they are able to acquire Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in the process. In this scenario, New York could trade away power forward Julius Randle if it would eventually lead to securing Mitchell.
A Randle-Westbrook trade would free up a big amount for the Knicks, as Randle is on a four-year $117 million extension, and in return, the Lakers would finally be able put an end to the Westbrook chapter.
Stein posits that the Lakers could first try to trade for Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets using Westbrook as a bargaining chip, but now it appears that Irving will not be leaving the Nets.
Just a few months ago, there were reports that the Knicks had zero interest in trading for Westbrook, but maybe the prospect of obtaining Mitchell would be enough for New York to reconsider their stance.