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NBA trade rumors have linked the LA Lakers with a move for All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers' two leading stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have an excellent relationship with Westbrook off the court. Many expect the trio to form an instant bond and make the Lakers a championship-contending team again.
However, there are multiple reasons to believe that trading for Russell Westbrook isn't necessarily in the best interests of the LA Lakers. To begin with, the nine-time All-Star is owed close to $78 million over the next two seasons ($44 million next season). The Lakers are already struggling with salary-cap flexibility and will need to be wise with the way they build a roster filled with championship-caliber role players.
They have only seven players under contract heading into the off-season, with Montrezl Harrell yet to decide on his player option. As per NBA trade rumors, the only possible trade scenario to acquire Westbrook for the LA Lakers is a sign-and-trade deal that would see Dennis Schroder, Talen Horton-Tucker and Kyle Kuzma go the other way.
It will limit the LA Lakers' spending power, as a sign-and-trade would hard cap them with LeBron James and Anthony Davis' salaries amounting to $41 million and $35 million, respectively, next season.
The Lakers, unfortunately, do not have any other trade assets that could intrigue the Wizards' front office, making a deal for Westbrook a complicated one. On that note, let's take a look at three other point guards the LA Lakers should pursue instead of Russell Westbrook in the 2021 NBA off-season.
#3 Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose rejuvenated himself after being traded to the New York Knicks midway through the 2020-21 NBA season. He is set to enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Rose's exploits in the 2021 NBA Playoffs are a great testament to the fact that he can still be an invaluable addition to a contending team.
He led the Knicks in scoring (19.4 points per game) and assists (five per game) during the postseason. Rose was promoted to the starting lineup midway through the Knicks' first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks as New York struggled in their first postseason campaign in seven years.
As per NBA rumors, the LA Lakers reignited their interest in Derrick Rose after the Knicks' exit from the playoffs. Rose could help them with his experience and share playmaking responsibilities with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He shot 41.1% from beyond the arc in the 2020-21 season and can help the Lakers improve in that area as well.
Despite his injury struggles before the last campaign, Rose has shown that he can adjust and adapt well to the style of play his team employs. Moreover, he could mentor younger players in the LA Lakers, being a highly experienced veteran, while continuing to contribute at a significant rate.
Rose is a much cheaper option compared to a lot of high-profile point guards in the market. So acquiring him will help the LA Lakers pursue talented role players, which is of utmost importance when building a championship-caliber team.
#2 Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry is another name that has been mentioned in a plethora of NBA rumors concerning the LA Lakers. Lowry will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season and has plenty of suitors. Recent reports suggest that Lowry has shown interest in joining the LA Lakers.
Even though he is 35, Lowry showed last season that he has a lot to give. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Toronto Raptors in 2020-21. Lowry can contribute with his perimeter defense, scoring and three-point shooting. He shot 39.6% from beyond the arc last campaign on 7.2 attempts per game.
He also showed that he could co-exist with another ball-handler in the team like Fred VanVleet during his time with the Toronto Raptors last season. LeBron James will likely trust Lowry to run the team, which would allow him and Davis to play more forward and center, without having to worry about carrying out floor-general responsibilities.
Lowry is a much cheaper option compared to Westbrook, even if he ends up commanding around $20-25 million per year in free agency. The Lakers won't be able to pay that amount upfront but could explore deals with assets like Dennis Schroder (sign-and-trade) or Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. They also have a first-round draft pick this year (no. 22) and a host of second-rounders from the next few seasons that they could include.
As the Raptors are looking at a sign-and-trade deal to move Lowry instead of letting him leave in free agency for nothing, there is reason to believe they could agree with the LA Lakers on a trade deal if the latter present an enticing package.
#1 Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie has been on the LA Lakers' radar for a long time now. The Brooklyn Nets point guard played just three games last season and was sidelined due to a partial ACL tear he suffered at the start of the 2020-21 campaign. However, he had a breakout 2019-20 campaign, with many suitors keeping an eye on his situation in the market.
As expected, Dinwiddie turned down his player option with the Nets and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Apart from Lowry, Dinwiddie has also expressed interest in joining the LA Lakers, as per NBA rumors. Dinwiddie averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game during the 2019-20 season.
He is a highly efficient scorer from all three levels and can create scoring opportunities for teammates as well. Dinwiddie is reportedly looking for a deal that would see him earn $20 million annually, which makes it difficult for the LA Lakers to sign him directly in free agency.
An ideal yet complex way of making a deal possible would be to allow Dennis Schroder to walk in a sign-and-trade and create a trade exception that the Lakers could use to sign Dinwiddie via sign-and-trade along with a second-round pick that the Nets may ask for in return. The Nets are stacked with an expensive backcourt and are unlikely to accept a deal that would see Schroder added to their roster.
Dinwiddie is 28 and approaching the prime of his career. He would also be a cheaper option compared to Westbrook for the LA Lakers. Considering the player's interest in playing for the Purple and Gold, the Lakers could benefit as they aim to win a record 18th NBA championship next season.
