Michael Jordan reportedly has interest in acquiring Westbrook, Pacers joined the chat

[LAL1947]

Rozier is good offensively but too small and defensively challenged to work next to Rozier.

Yeah, I agree. Two Roziers just won't work.

[SF_Warriors]

A $40 mill expiring can be plenty valuable if we are talking freeing up that much cap space. Terry and Hayward are both solid players but I would rather have 50-60+ mill in cap space than those guys.

[step]

I initially balked at the idea... but depending on the pieces involved, could work out nicely for Charlotte. If they can get out of Hayward and Rozier's deals as others have alluded to, that could open the books up nicely and so much sooner for Charlotte.

Not that I would have faith in Jordan to not spend it unwisely afterward

Who would u have in mind with the capspace? Feels like u guys would be starving for an elite big with Lamelos distrubition skills

Most definitely. Throw money at a big and another premier wing player next season... and they could still easily retain Miles without too much pressure.

Rozier isn't a bad contract though, I you're making a mistake in thinking they want to get rid of him. They really just want to get rid of Hayward because he's 32 and constantly injured, they don't need cap savings beyond that because they already have one of the lowest team payrolls in the league.

You're right, he isn't. I just don't see him as a long-term piece. To me, it would be more about throwing money at bigger wing players instead.

[CraftylikeaFox]

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There's no way this is real. This is beyond awful for the Pacers.

[Michael Jackson]

Westbrook is a $44m expiring aka “reset” which would give Charlotte almost 70m+ in cap space. They’d have to give up at least one future first round pick. Hayward is injury prone and Rozier is definitely a better player than Westbrook. But it’s the “reset” aspect that makes the deal favourable to Charlotte without any picks

You must be a Lakers fan if you think Charlotte is trading them Rozier + Hayward + a first round pick for Westbrook. That's insane and as bad an owner as MJ is even he wouldn't do that. The Lakers are so desperate to get rid of Westbrook they have floated waiving and stretching him, Charlotte offering Hayward + Oubre Jr. is probably about all they'll get if they're lucky.

but its two bad contracts for a long time. not just one massive expiring. The Lakers are the one taking on long term salary. If you look at historic trades like this, you'll see picks are attached to the longer contracts. It totally depends. Maybe its a 2nd round pick instead. But the Lakers aren't the one's adding any picks.

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

[Michael Jackson]

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There's no way this is real. This is beyond awful for the Pacers.

Yeah it is beyond terrible for the. But they may hardcore tank and in that case maybe it makes sense. Sure seems like they could get more equity though and perhaps get a pick or useful players for their rebuild

[bb22]

If the Lakers manage to get anything other than John Wall for Westbrook, it’s a huge win.
I can see how some small market team without concrete playoff aspirations might entertain a Westbrook trade…

[bb22]

You must be a Lakers fan if you think Charlotte is trading them Rozier + Hayward + a first round pick for Westbrook. That's insane and as bad an owner as MJ is even he wouldn't do that. The Lakers are so desperate to get rid of Westbrook they have floated waiving and stretching him, Charlotte offering Hayward + Oubre Jr. is probably about all they'll get if they're lucky.

but its two bad contracts for a long time. not just one massive expiring. The Lakers are the one taking on long term salary. If you look at historic trades like this, you'll see picks are attached to the longer contracts. It totally depends. Maybe its a 2nd round pick instead. But the Lakers aren't the one's adding any picks.

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

They should, but I find it very unlikely they buy him out. The ownership is so tight they just got Luol deng off the payroll.

[LAL1947]

BREAKING: The Pacers have emerged as a potential suitor in a Russell Westbrook trade — Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon have been mentioned as potential pieces.

There's no way this is real. This is beyond awful for the Pacers.

[Capn'O]

You must be a Lakers fan if you think Charlotte is trading them Rozier + Hayward + a first round pick for Westbrook. That's insane and as bad an owner as MJ is even he wouldn't do that. The Lakers are so desperate to get rid of Westbrook they have floated waiving and stretching him, Charlotte offering Hayward + Oubre Jr. is probably about all they'll get if they're lucky.

but its two bad contracts for a long time. not just one massive expiring. The Lakers are the one taking on long term salary. If you look at historic trades like this, you'll see picks are attached to the longer contracts. It totally depends. Maybe its a 2nd round pick instead. But the Lakers aren't the one's adding any picks.

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

Lakers get: Randle/Fournier or Burks
Houston gets: Westbrook, draft compensation from Lakers
Knicks get: Wall

Everybody gets what they want.

[Yeggo Poleggo]

Typical scam trade by the Lakers.

[pacers33]

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Spoiler:

Guess we're playing Russell Roulette with Hornets fans until the heat dies down.

[Michael Jackson]

but its two bad contracts for a long time. not just one massive expiring. The Lakers are the one taking on long term salary. If you look at historic trades like this, you'll see picks are attached to the longer contracts. It totally depends. Maybe its a 2nd round pick instead. But the Lakers aren't the one's adding any picks.

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

They should, but I find it very unlikely they buy him out. The ownership is so tight they just got Luol deng off the payroll.

Maybe they learned something from Deng though. Does stretching Westbrook give them any cap space to do anything with this year? If not just bite that bullet this year and don't hamper the future cap. It is the smartest way, you are losing the same amount of money. I guess if the stretch allows you to resign Monk you consider it? Then though you still are dealing with the Russ money hurting the cap the next 3-4 years. Bite the bullet is the smartest avenue, unless they have a real good plan

[Michael Jackson]

but its two bad contracts for a long time. not just one massive expiring. The Lakers are the one taking on long term salary. If you look at historic trades like this, you'll see picks are attached to the longer contracts. It totally depends. Maybe its a 2nd round pick instead. But the Lakers aren't the one's adding any picks.

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

Lakers get: Randle/Fournier or Burks
Houston gets: Westbrook, draft compensation from Lakers
Knicks get: Wall

Everybody gets what they want.

Do the Knicks want Wall? If so it seems doable. Do they want him just as an expiring though? If so why not just trade for Russ straight up and try to get that draft capitol plus the expiring?

[LAL1947]

Maybe they learned something from Deng though. Does stretching Westbrook give them any cap space to do anything with this year? If not just bite that bullet this year and don't hamper the future cap. It is the smartest way, you are losing the same amount of money. I guess if the stretch allows you to resign Monk you consider it? Then though you still are dealing with the Russ money hurting the cap the next 3-4 years. Bite the bullet is the smartest avenue, unless they have a real good plan

Agreed, stretching should be a no-no even if it allows us to sign Monk. That's a lot of money and a lot of time. If a trade can't be found, Lakers Nation needs to get #BiteTheBullet trending.

[Capn'O]

Lakers are the desperate ones. Any trade for Russ is going to cost a pick I think and no one wants his contract or attitude. Same with Houston and Wall, Houston wants that pick. Otherwise I think every team is just a ok letting Russ stay on the Lakers. LA has no leverage in any trade, it’s make a move or buyout at this point. Is the pick worth not doing a buyout? That’s the question. Personally I think I’d just do the buyout (not a stretch either just eat it this year) wash their hands and be done.

Lakers get: Randle/Fournier or Burks
Houston gets: Westbrook, draft compensation from Lakers
Knicks get: Wall

Everybody gets what they want.

Do the Knicks want Wall? If so it seems doable. Do they want him just as an expiring though? If so why not just trade for Russ straight up and try to get that draft capitol plus the expiring?

I want the expiring. The Knicks would want star capital in the trade so they _might_ be interested. Vs. Russ, I would vastly prefer Wall because:

1. If he does play, I think he will do his best to try to blend vs. take over
2. If he can't do what we need as a player he's already shown he just fades into the background like Kemba Walker. He probably should have raised more of a stink this year TBH but instead embraced a role as a mentor and collected checks quietly

I think Russ has the potential to be either a huge distraction to a young team or be catered to and stunt development. The Knicks, being the Knicks, won't sign and waive and frankly that's a huge ask for 50 million dollars. To me, that piece of mind of having a guy who will simply try to fit in and then go away might be more valuable than additional draft compensation, of which the Knicks actually have an abundance.

In contrast, the Rockets would cut the **** out of Westbrook and just take the pick.

[Michael Jackson]

Lakers get: Randle/Fournier or Burks
Houston gets: Westbrook, draft compensation from Lakers
Knicks get: Wall

Everybody gets what they want.

Do the Knicks want Wall? If so it seems doable. Do they want him just as an expiring though? If so why not just trade for Russ straight up and try to get that draft capitol plus the expiring?

I want the expiring. The Knicks would want star capital in the trade so they _might_ be interested. Vs. Russ, I would vastly prefer Wall because:

1. If he does play, I think he will do his best to try to blend vs. take over
2. If he can't do what we need as a player he's already shown he just fades into the background like Kemba Walker. He probably should have raised more of a stink this year TBH but instead embraced a role as a mentor and collected checks quietly

I think Russ has the potential to be either a huge distraction to a young team or be catered to and stunt development. The Knicks, being the Knicks, won't sign and waive and frankly that's a huge ask for 50 million dollars. To me, that piece of mind of having a guy who will simply try to fit in and then go away might be more valuable than additional draft compensation, of which the Knicks actually have an abundance.

In contrast, the Rockets would cut the **** out of Westbrook and just take the pick.

I can dig that logic. I agree too that I think Wall can fit better than Russ at this point, at least personality wise on a team. I think Wall can still be productive too if healthy which he should be, he has had plenty of time to heal up. Russ in New York is another media circus.

[Johnny Bball]

All this means is they are already done with Gordon Hayward and would prefer a shorter period of cap hell. Would be shrewd as hell for Charlotte.

[falcolombardi]

westbrook is a wxpiring, is not there some not competing team that benefits from cleaning the books trading for him?

[Edrees]

I would take on the hayward contract if it means not having to give up picks. Otherwise just let westbrooks contact ride it out for one year