NYG's Mock Off-Season - What to do with Russell Westbrook: Which is more likely?

NYG · Post #1 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:21 am

Which of the following Russell Westbrook options are most likely?

EDIT:

1. The Lakers trade Westbrook with a top 4 protected 2027 first round draft pick for expiring salary like John Wall
2. The Lakers keep Westbrook and try making the AD/LeBron/Westbrook trio work with a new coach
3. The Lakers waive Westbrook's contract in full
4. The Lakers buy-out Westbrook's contract and he takes a nice chunk off to choose his destination
5. The Lakers trade Westbrook for bad contracts (THJ, Bertans, Burke straight up type deal)

NYG · Post #2 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:25 am

I'll likely use the winner in my mock off-season so vote realistically.

jayjaysee · Post #3 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:32 am

Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

psman2 · Post #4 » by **psman2** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:35 am

jayjaysee wrote:Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

Yep...to me this is the most likely option and missing as a choice.

NYG · Post #5 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:35 am

jayjaysee wrote:Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

The Knicks probably aren't going to dump Fournier after just 1 season. Is what Dallas would include in a THJ + for Westbrook deal better than just letting Westbrook expire? What incentive would Dallas give to take on that salary?

NYG · Post #6 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:37 am

psman2 wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

Yep...to me this is the most likely option and missing as a choice.

Give me the details of the deal Dallas would agree to and I'll add it to the poll.

Godaddycurse · Post #7 » by **Godaddycurse** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:38 am

NYG wrote:Which of the following Russell Westbrook options are most likely?

1. The Lakers trade Westbrook with a top 4 protected 2027 first round draft pick for neutral expiring salary like John Wall

John Wall is not a neutral expiring salary when he makes just as much and haven't played all year. he's just as negative imo

Post #8 » by **MoneyTalks41890** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:43 am

Don’t see any way LA attaches a pick just to swap Russ with Wall.

NYG · Post #9 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:44 am

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:Don’t see any way LA attaches a pick just to swap Russ with Wall.

Yeah, I bet in the end they might just keep Westbrook.

NYG · Post #10 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:46 am

jayjaysee wrote:Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

Would Dallas do THJ, Burke, Boban, Brown and Powell for Westbrook? Let me know and I'll add it to the poll.

Dr Positivity · Post #11 » by **Dr Positivity** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:46 am

I think they would get someone playable like Kristaps or something if they attached Westbrook to a pick rather than just a neutral contract like Wall

Still, I think the most likely situation is he is waived.

Godaddycurse · Post #12 » by **Godaddycurse** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:47 am

can Lakers arrange a buyout with Westbrook like Kemba did and save MLE money like 10M?

NYG · Post #13 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:48 am

Godaddycurse wrote:can Lakers arrange a buyout with Westbrook like Kemba did and save MLE money like 10M?

Westbrook probably wouldn't give up any money though.

jayjaysee · Post #14 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:50 am

NYG wrote:
psman2 wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:Why is there no Westbrook for bad contract option?

that 2027 first can pay to “Fournier+“ or “THJ+“ in 14 months if LBJ leaves and the team is going for it free agency.

Yep...to me this is the most likely option and missing as a choice.

Give me the details of the deal Dallas would agree to and I'll add it to the poll.

Oh Russell isn’t a superstar….

I never have posted a Westbrook to Dallas trade. But have posted 30ish deals like;

Hayward to Dallas
Russ, Dallas first, Dal/LAL 2nd(s) to Charlotte
THJ, Rozier, 3B’s to LAL

(Add another guy you hope is 3rd/4th best player - but a better fit for Dallas)

Or

THJ, Buddy to LAL
Russ, Dallas first, Dal/LAL 2nds to Indiana
Nothing to Dallas

(Save a fortune to pay Brunson) - Indy could send McConnell+Goga to LAL in order to stay over the cap - but would want real value back for that. Tying it into a Rubio sign and trade is better. Except Dallas first is already picked. So I don’t like this one.

Or

Russ, Dal 2nd/ LA 2nd to NY
THJ, Fournier, and Noel to LA
Alec and Kemba to Dallas

Dallas saves less money but doesn’t have to give up a first. Kemba probably shipped out with another 2nd or maybe he’s sent to NOP for Temple, whatever. NY saves some money. LAL adds some talent. Seems clean.

jayjaysee · Post #15 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon May 2, 2022 12:54 am

NYG wrote:
Godaddycurse wrote:can Lakers arrange a buyout with Westbrook like Kemba did and save MLE money like 10M?

Westbrook probably wouldn't give up any money though.

I’m with Godaddy - Russ would give up the MLE. I imagine he’d get that from a team where he could have a chance to show he’/ not done.

Wouldn’t give up more, but think he’d give that up and pick his team. Maybe even Washington? Not sure how that ended but they have a lot more talent now and need a PG..

giberish · Post #16 » by **giberish** » Mon May 2, 2022 1:01 am

Godaddycurse wrote:
NYG wrote:Which of the following Russell Westbrook options are most likely?

1. The Lakers trade Westbrook with a top 4 protected 2027 first round draft pick for neutral expiring salary like John Wall

John Wall is not a neutral expiring salary when he makes just as much and haven't played all year. he's just as negative imo

Agreed. Both Wall and Westbrook are massively overpaid EC's. Both significant negative value due to the size of their deals and very limited on-court value even over just one season.

NYG · Post #17 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 1:18 am

jayjaysee wrote:
NYG wrote:
Godaddycurse wrote:can Lakers arrange a buyout with Westbrook like Kemba did and save MLE money like 10M?

Westbrook probably wouldn't give up any money though.

I’m with Godaddy - Russ would give up the MLE. I imagine he’d get that from a team where he could have a chance to show he’/ not done.

Wouldn’t give up more, but think he’d give that up and pick his team. Maybe even Washington? Not sure how that ended but they have a lot more talent now and need a PG..

Honestly, you're probably right, this is the likely outcome the more I digest it. If the Lakers can buy him out with enough savings to spend their full MLE and Westbrook can choose where he goes, they let his remaining salary expire next year and sign a replacement (Rubio? Tyus? Schroder? Mills?)

jayjaysee · Post #18 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon May 2, 2022 1:27 am

NYG wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:
NYG wrote:
Westbrook probably wouldn't give up any money though.

I’m with Godaddy - Russ would give up the MLE. I imagine he’d get that from a team where he could have a chance to show he’/ not done.

Wouldn’t give up more, but think he’d give that up and pick his team. Maybe even Washington? Not sure how that ended but they have a lot more talent now and need a PG..

Honestly, you're probably right, this is the likely outcome the more I digest it. If the Lakers can buy him out with enough savings to spend their full MLE and Westbrook can choose where he goes, they let his remaining salary expire next year and sign a replacement (Rubio? Tyus? Schroder? Mills?)

Oh LAL would have to stretch him to use the full MLE... he’s not giving up the 20~ million it would take to fill the roster with minimum salaries and the MLE. Unless they dump THT. Really not worth it.

NYG · Post #19 » by **NYG** » Mon May 2, 2022 1:36 am

jayjaysee wrote:
NYG wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:
I’m with Godaddy - Russ would give up the MLE. I imagine he’d get that from a team where he could have a chance to show he’/ not done.

Wouldn’t give up more, but think he’d give that up and pick his team. Maybe even Washington? Not sure how that ended but they have a lot more talent now and need a PG..

Honestly, you're probably right, this is the likely outcome the more I digest it. If the Lakers can buy him out with enough savings to spend their full MLE and Westbrook can choose where he goes, they let his remaining salary expire next year and sign a replacement (Rubio? Tyus? Schroder? Mills?)

Oh LAL would have to stretch him to use the full MLE... he’s not giving up the 20~ million it would take to fill the roster with minimum salaries and the MLE. Unless they dump THT. Really not worth it.

Russ is a weird dude, he makes money from sponsorships. If they really struggle to trade him, I could see him giving up $15 Million which gets the Lakers right below the apron with enough to keep THT, Nunn, Johnson, Reaves, AD, LeBron, the non-tax MLE and a roster full of minimum guys. For Westbrook, choosing his spot would be important. He could even make up that money easy overseas, who knows?

jayjaysee · Post #20 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon May 2, 2022 2:03 am

My vote would be a bunch of NY filler with no real asset going to either team. Just a simple win/win.

Dallas just doesn’t make sense at all ending up with him unless Brunson leaves and LAL just takes whatever players we want them to with no value attached. But that would be a very sad day for Dallas fans.