Trading for Russell Westbrook

Post #1 » by **dockingsched** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 7:35 pm

Been seeing a lot of talk about trading for Westbrook since Durant decided to go to GS. Today is dominating the radio talk shows.

Is it just me or is this idea totally idiotic? If you trade for Westbrook, you have nothing left to entice him to stay next summer. It seems to me so much better to entice him next summer by either allowing the young players to show this next yer that they are stars or trading those assets for a player under contract that Westbrook would want to play with.

I don't see any reason you'd trade your best assets for a player that will have no reason to stay. I just can't grasp why anyone thinks it's a good idea u less you think he can be had without Russell or Ingram included which I don't find possible.

Crooked-I · Post #2 » by **Crooked-I** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 7:46 pm

Yeah I think it's a dumb idea. We already got burned once trading for a player on their last year, this time it'll be 100 times worse since we'd have to give up all our youth. Imagine if he doesn't resign, we'd be royally ****. Not worth the risk.

I'd rather just see how this year plays out, who knows he might just sign here anyway. It really sucks that we used so much cap space on a couple of scrubs tho. I wonder if Durant left on the first day of free agency, if Lakers would of signed Deng and Mozgov. My guess is no.

rand0m · Post #3 » by **rand0m** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 7:47 pm

Agreed. Personally scared Jim pulls the trigger out of desperation though.

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MelosSoreWrist · Post #4 » by **MelosSoreWrist** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 7:48 pm

But Mozgov and Deng...

Levity · Post #5 » by **Levity** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 7:48 pm

agreed. a trade for westbrook is doable. but with limited options left in free agency this summer, trading for him would leave the team depleted (would assume it would take russel+ingram+1 more). so russel plays his heart out for 1 season in LA just to end up back in the lottery AND lose our pick that season = the incentive for westbrook to re-sign diminishes. (since our team was gutted to bring him in)

instead, show confidence in our youth. let luke get his first season as HC under his belt, let the kids develop. pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses going into FA next season. then mitch and company give wb the pitch of the century: sell him on our young and potential-ridden roster. a coach and system that wb could excel with. etc etc

westbrook decides to go to a contender after all this? ok, good for him. at least you now know your youths potential. what to focus on. who to add. who to move.

trading or not trading are both gambles. but trading can lead to the worst possible scenario. a gutted team and a wb who walks at the end of the season

Tee212 · Post #6 » by **Tee212** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 8:00 pm

ya too soon to give up on our youth. its not like were goona contend anytime soon.

Michael Lucky · Post #7 » by **Michael Lucky** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 2:08 am

It is idiotic for all the reasons you listed. Unfortunately you can bet the media will run with it since it garners people's attention.

Post #8 » by **TyCobb** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 2:46 am

If it could happen tomorrow, then it depends on the price.

Post #9 » by **Slava** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 2:49 am

It's not prudent but it's worth discussion. Ideally we play out the season to showcase our youngsters to prospective free agents, may be keep our pick and sign Westbrook next year if his heart is set on lakers.

SlimShady83 · Post #10 » by **SlimShady83** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 2:50 am

I recon make a trade to Indi for Paul George first and hope WB decides to team up with him next year?

The question is, will WB get traded or will OKC just let him walk??? I'm guessing traded

Mirjalovic · Post #11 » by **Mirjalovic** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 3:54 am

i like Randle, Russell, Ingram, Nance, Clarkson. I dont want to lose them because impatience.

we won't be a contender this season even if you add westbrook, not in the west. Lets wait next season, when our young gunz have more experience and polish.

gts1 · Post #12 » by **gts1** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:10 am

rand0m wrote:Agreed. Personally scared Jim pulls the trigger out of desperation though.

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Nothing the Lakers FO has done feels like desperation.. In fact if anything every move the last two years or lack of moves shows they made a plan for a long term youth movement and have stuck with it...

Michael Lucky · Post #13 » by **Michael Lucky** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:11 am

gts1 wrote:
rand0m wrote:Agreed. Personally scared Jim pulls the trigger out of desperation though.

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Nothing the Lakers FO has done feels like desperation.. In fact if anything every move the last two years or lack of moves shows they made a plan for a long term youth movement and have stuck with it...

Pretty much this. Even if the people don't like the contracts given out to Mozgov and Deng it is quite clear those were given up to help the youth of the team.

Also tbh, i don't really see Jim as someone desperate, wouldn't be surprised at all if he did not care all that much about being removed from his position. When you think of it, as an owner he doesn't really stand much to lose. And if he's removed from the position he won't have to deal with the negative spin from the media pinning every single misfortune on the franchise as his fault.

rand0m · Post #14 » by **rand0m** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:20 am

Maybe desperation was the wrong word. But I'm sure they'd be tempted if Westbrook was dangled in front of them. I think the lack of moves was more of an issue that there was nothing to offer or lack of interest from top tier free agents. Would you guys trade for Westbrook if Russell and Ingram were untouched?

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Post #15 » by **Kilroy** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:35 am

Why wouldn't you explore every option available to make the team better...
Dumb idea? Seems like to not explore ideas like this is to bury your head in the sand.

It's pretty simple to me...
Making a dumb trade for Westbrook would be dumb...
Making a brilliant trade for Westbrook would be brilliant...

And everything in between.

One Love · Post #16 » by **One Love** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:39 am

Westbrook is a Top 5 player in the NBA... If they want Russell & Ingram, the answer is NO... If they want Russell & Randle & he signs a 5 year deal (sign and trade), the answer is HELL YEAH... Russell plays the same position... Westbrook, Clarkson, Ingram, Deng & Mozgov makes the playoffs & could be VERY dangerous... Westbrook, Deng & Mozgov are top 10 defenders at their positions... Lakeshow Baby...

EArl · Post #17 » by **EArl** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:45 am

depends on what we give up. There is also the chance that he bolts right after..
Would rather wait so our players can develop and then sign him upright.

Frank Dux · Post #18 » by **Frank Dux** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:48 am

How many good years does he even have left? His game is mostly predicated on his ridiculous athleticism. He's a knee injury or back injury away from mediocrity.

If he wants to join us next summer, I would welcome him. But any trade involving Russell/Ingram is out of the question.

dAdo dA dEvil · Post #19 » by **dAdo dA dEvil** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 4:59 am

It all depends on who we trade for Westbrook and most probably if it's a sign and trade. If we are giving up too much I'd rather wait for the free agency and meanwhile let our young core play and see what kind of players we have under the coaching of Luke. If this year tuns out to be a good year for us and if we are lucky enough Westbrook might consider signing with us. Good for us as we won't need to give up any player to have him.

MAMBAEMD · Post #20 » by **MAMBAEMD** » Wed Jul 6, 2016 5:14 am

You have to consider it.
It all depends on the price .

Ideally though wait until he is a FA. If he really wants to come here, that's what he'd want us to do also.
At that time, he can sign with us. And then we can see if we can flip some of our assets for another established player like Boogie or George.

Trading for Westbrook is