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

[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

[Lost Angel]

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.

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.

[Slim Charlez]

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.

Oh, him and half the league? Why do people go out of their way to make drama where there is none, it's embarrassing.

Half the league wanted Westbrook??

[dhsilv2]

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A 40 million backup doesn’t make sense, so im assuming Lakers will arrange a buyout and Hornets will sign for vet min ?

Why is a boxing guy talking about basketball?

[dhsilv2]

If there’s one person who’s more out of touch with current players talents than lebron it’s Jordan. They both think it’s still 2014.

Jordan thinks it's 1993....

[weberoth]

I thought his contract was so high they couldnt find a trade in Washington, So im not the one who will say 100% not happening, but i see little to no option this happens.
Also, when can we have a great player who was a laker fan as a child play in LA and perform at least good? Feels bad for the man.

[Harry Garris]

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.

My personal opinion is that they drastically overrate "competitiveness" and "killer instinct" and all that jazz. And those are great qualities to have... in a guy who's actually an elite basketball talent. But in a guy whose athleticism has atrophied and skill-wise is a below average NBA player having a super competitive "i'm gonna take on the world" mindset is not a positive thing.

The hard part is anyone who's played pick up basketball should be able to tell you that... We've all played with that guy who isn't very good but is determined to drive the ball into traffic or dribble for 20 seconds before hoisting up a terrible mid range shot every time down the floor because he's such a badass, right?

[Ballerhogger]

Do it ! For the brand !!!!

[Pointgod]

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

I’d love Rozier as a Lakers fan, but I don’t see it from the Hornets perspective. Rozier has flat out been a better player this year than Westbrook. Hayward is not an asset, since he’s another Anthony Davis who’s always injured, but man if they just wanted to salary dump these guys then I’d take Rozier and run far far away.

[zshawn10]

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[ejs78]

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Westbrook and Carlisle



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[facothomas22]

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This sounds like fake news to try to give Lakers fans hope they get meaningful assets for Russell Westbrook. Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon for Russell Westbrook would be a massive overpay for a guy made his team worse and is a terrible shooter who also plays low IQ basketball. This would also hurt the development of Tyrese Haliburton along with the player they draft this year. Westbrook is also a terrible fit next to Rick Carlisle. There's no way the Pacers should or would entertain this sort of trade.

[John Murdoch]

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

[NyKnicks1714]

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Westbrook and Carlisle



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He'd possibly be bought out or waived. Regardless, people need to stop talking about Westbrook the player in the context of trade discussions. Any team that trades for him is doing it purely as a salary move.

[facothomas22]

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Westbrook and Carlisle



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He'd possibly be bought out or waived. Regardless, people need to stop talking about Westbrook the player in the context of trade discussions. Any team that trades for him is doing it purely as a salary move.

I agree. Westbrook will most likely ether play for the Lakers next season or he will be brought out and waived during the off season. Any Westbrook trade will not involve any meaningful assets and would simply be for the other team to get off their long term bad contract in exchange for a really awful contract for one season. Not to mention any Westbrook trade would also include the Lakers giving up their 2027 first round pick as well,which is something the Lakers have refused to do so far. A example of this is when the Rockets offered John Wall in exchange for Russell Westbrook/Lakers 2027 unprotected 1st round pick a few months ago and the Lakers rejected the offer due having to give up their 2027 1st round pick.

[Infinite Llamas]

Rozier is like a lower paid CJ McCollum at this point. Still an effective player but won’t provide much value in defense or playmaking. Will give you 18-20 points 4/4 rebounds and assists and about 38% on 3’s on high volume. Rozier is one of the best corner shooters in the league. And he’s a fantastic 4th quarter player. Lakers would honestly be lucky to get him.

[Klayforspicy]

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Westbrook and Carlisle



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He'd possibly be bought out or waived. Regardless, people need to stop talking about Westbrook the player in the context of trade discussions. Any team that trades for him is doing it purely as a salary move.

Brogdon and Hield would be a hell of a salary dump.
They would definitely make the Lakers competitive, but Indiana has no dog in that fight..

[SkyBill40]

In my opinion, Westbrook is a solid talent and can play the game like few others. However, at this stage in his career, I don't know that even a change or scenery and Michael Jordan working with him is going to turn things around. For what it's worth, injecting Westbrook into the mix there could very easily destroy everything they've worked so hard to build and would end up costing them dearly in terms of personnel, picks, or potentially both. Why help the Lakers? They did this to themselves and certainly deserve zero favors. If you want WB bad enough and he wants to be there, let him come on the cheap as an unrestricted free agent after his current contract expires. Or, should the Lakers decide to waive and stretch him, then make your move.

[amcoolio]

If Westbrook had just average defense, I think Charlotte would do it. Rozier is good offensively but too small and defensively challenged to work next to Rozier.

But he doesn't, so they won't. They only do this if they think they can convince Jokic next year or have a deal with Utah lined up for Gobert

[ciueli]

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.

Rozier isn't a bad contract though, 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.

The Lakers do it because they are desperate to get rid of Westbrook and get any player who can space the floor with 3 point shooting for LeBron and Anthony Davis and Hayward was a 39% 3 point shooter this season. It also saves them money immediately which is important when the team is deep in the tax and the ownership has already made cost cutting moves (not keeping Alex Caruso when they clearly needed a player like him).