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

[Zeno]

This would be a really good move for the Hornets. Turn Gordon Hayward and Rozier into a giant expiring and picks. They need to pay Bridges and that is not a place to pay the tax. Especially not until they establish themselves as homecourt playoff team. Would actually show long-term thinking from a franchise that generally doesn't think long-term enough.

[ConSarnit]

What is with all time greats having interest in terrible talent? Both Jordan and LeBron are atrocious at putting together teams, that’s the one area where I can’t decide who is worse.

It's a cap move, you're trying too hard

Everyone knows MJ is a comically bad talent evaluator. It's also not the first time he's had interest in Westbrook.

1) someone show me where Woj mentions the Hornets in this video FROM 2 MONTHS AGO

2) RW to CHA is being reported by Marc Stein and he clearly outlines it as a salary dump deal for CHA to get off of Hayward and Rozier’s long term money

Can I just post a video from the last dance with the title “MJ admits Lebron is the best player of all time?” Can we just post anything on this board now?

[KrAzY3]

What is with all time greats having interest in terrible talent? Both Jordan and LeBron are atrocious at putting together teams, that’s the one area where I can’t decide who is worse.

It's a cap move, you're trying too hard

It’s a terrible idea. Stop being a homer.

I'm not a fan of the move for my own reasons, but in terms of clearing cap space is makes sense. Dump two contracts they don't want for an expiring.

This is a terrible move if they extend Westbrook or something, if all he is, is an expiring I'm not sure what the downside is. The Lakers are motivated to do this because from their perspective Rozier and Hayward probably make them a better team.

To me the real key here is if they can extract something else of value from the Lakers, the Lakers seem like the more desperate party here.

[KembaWalker]

What is with all time greats having interest in terrible talent? Both Jordan and LeBron are atrocious at putting together teams, that’s the one area where I can’t decide who is worse.

It's a cap move, you're trying too hard

It’s a terrible idea. Stop being a homer.

It's not a matter of being a homer, I already described the how the move will be a negative but you're just being purposefully obtuse by pretending it's anything but a salary move in the big scheme of things

[jpengland]

As a salary dump move, this makes some sense if they can also extract a first from the Lakers.

Subtracting Westbrook instantly improves the Lakers and Hayward and Rozier are great fits, even if terrible contracts.

It lets them have one more run with LeBron.

Jordan should then buyout Westbrook, but he won't. Can't think of a worse mentor for LaMelo.

[mulamutti]

As a salary dump move, this makes some sense if they can also extract a first from the Lakers.

Subtracting Westbrook instantly improves the Lakers and Hayward and Rozier are great fits, even if terrible contracts.

It lets them have one more run with LeBron.

Jordan should then buyout Westbrook, but he won't. Can't think of a worse mentor for LaMelo.

westbrook is the worst player in the NBA. even if he was free. He cant help if he's not ball dominant. So just trade him and bench him.

[TheLand13]

It's a cap move, you're trying too hard

It’s a terrible idea. Stop being a homer.

It's not a matter of being a homer, I already described the how the move will be a negative but you're just being purposefully obtuse by pretending it's anything but a salary move in the big scheme of things

And yet you still tried to justify it in the very same post. Again, stop being a homer. You aren’t fooling anyone.

Yo dial back the insults. Calling people homers is a personal attack. If you have a good point to make you can make it without the name calling. -b

[KembaWalker]

It’s a terrible idea. Stop being a homer.

It's not a matter of being a homer, I already described the how the move will be a negative but you're just being purposefully obtuse by pretending it's anything but a salary move in the big scheme of things

And yet you still tried to justify it in the very same post. Again, stop being a homer. You aren’t fooling anyone.

I'm not sure why you're being this hostile? Back to the foe list.

[ejn1214]

I dont follow the hornets close enough, but with Jordan's previous moves, do you think he would really do this for cap reasons? My guess is he would want him to play a ton of minutes and thinks he will help them win. Hornets could stumble into it being ok if they don't extend him before the season and are forced to watch the trainwreck and cut bait. Sometimes management lucks into something.

It is interesting how bad Jordan and LeBron are at talent evaluation. I wonder if LeBron does something similar to Jordan after he retires.

[Lost Angel]

salary dumps usually come with picks, not the other way around. Don't expect the Lakers to add any picks if they're taking both Hayward and Rozier. Lakers should definitely do this, Hayward is a high IQ player and can actually shoot the ball. Rozier is better than Westbrook, we all know that, but his contract is terrible.

What picks could the Hornets add?

[GeorgeSears]

My guess is they're trying to unload Gordon Hayward's awful contract. If he gets sent there, most likely Hayward will have to be part of the deal.

[NyKnicks1714]

That's a pretty nice salary dump for Charlotte.

[mademan]

salary dumps usually come with picks, not the other way around. Don't expect the Lakers to add any picks if they're taking both Hayward and Rozier. Lakers should definitely do this, Hayward is a high IQ player and can actually shoot the ball. Rozier is better than Westbrook, we all know that, but his contract is terrible.

What picks could the Hornets add?

none? Salary dumps usually come with picks because the team dumping them are desperate af. Even if the Hornets are desperate to dump Hayward/Rozier (i think they'd like to get off them, i wouldnt call it desperate), Lakers are just as motivated to move Russ for any starter worthy player, and they would get 2 here. I have the Lakers giving a 2nd rounder or 2 if anyhing

[NyKnicks1714]

My guess is they're trying to unload Gordon Hayward's awful contract. If he gets sent there, most likely Hayward will have to be part of the deal.

It would almost certainly be Hayward+Rozier for Westbrook.

[mademan]

And ya, i like it for Charlotte. In 2023 FA, they'll have like 60 mill to build a team around Lamelo/Bridges. I like Gary Trent Jr as a target for them; young, can defend and shoot. Imagine coming out with him and Turner that summer

[RoyceDa59]

This actually works great for both teams as the Lakers have no picks or reason to suck.

They also have few assets to add talent and they also have the bankroll to pay high salaries.

Hayward and Rozier and legitimately really good players. Like borderline star talent but they’re just overpaid and not fitting into Charlotte timelines.

Westbrook for Hayward + Rozier is perfect for both teams.

[ciueli]

salary dumps usually come with picks, not the other way around. Don't expect the Lakers to add any picks if they're taking both Hayward and Rozier. Lakers should definitely do this, Hayward is a high IQ player and can actually shoot the ball. Rozier is better than Westbrook, we all know that, but his contract is terrible.

What picks could the Hornets add?

Westbrook is also a salary dump though. And Charlotte would almost certainly be taking on more money in the short term because the Lakers are looking to cut their tax payments for a team that isn't the title contender they thought it would be.

[Gusto1903]

Would be a Bossmove by Mike, who just pities the horrid situation Lebron has got himself into.

[ciueli]

This actually works great for both teams as the Lakers have no picks or reason to suck.

They also have few assets to add talent and they also have the bankroll to pay high salaries.

Hayward and Rozier and legitimately really good players. Like borderline star talent but they’re just overpaid and not fitting into Charlotte timelines.

Westbrook for Hayward + Rozier is perfect for both teams.

I doubt it would be Rozier probably more like Hayward + Kelly Oubre Jr. Rozier's contract is actually fairly reasonable for his production, I doubt Charlotte is actually looking to move him, they're just looking to get off Hayward's money a year early.

[Goomba3666]

Gonna be hilarious if Westbrook goes to another team, leads them to a decent record, and goes to the playoffs all while putting up better numbers.

The excuses are gonna be crazy. Not the biggest Russ fan, but his haters are delusional af.