The Jazz reportedly have an offer on the table for Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. Will it be enough to get Los Angeles to bite?
According to Tim Macmahon, the Jazz have a deal in place where they would acquire Westbrook and those two infamous Lakers first-round picks (2027 and 2029) for Mike Conley and Malik Beasley. While it is unclear whether the Lakers would accept a deal like this, it’s an interesting twist after the Lakers missed out on Kyrie Irving.
These conversations between these teams are now back on and the Jazz may be a team where Westbrook gets bought out. The Jazz is open for business. While they are unexpectedly in the play-in race, the Jazz will be giving away veterans.
The swap of Conley and Beasley for two first-round picks and Westbrook seems to be the maximum return for the Jazz in any trade with the Lakers. Most likely, L. A would not accept this offer as they might want to only give up one pick for a package like this.
Westbrook would end up getting buyout by the Jazz if he gets traded for this return or a different Jazz deal. It was reported by Eric Pincus that the Heat would be interested in signing Westbrook after getting bought out of his contract.
Would the Jazz offer for Russell Westbrook be a good value for the Lakers?
Teams have wanted to take on picks in return for Westbrook contract, even though he is expiring. The difference in the Jazz getting two first-round picks for Westbrook is that they are giving back a negative contract in Conley, who is owed $48 million over the next two years. The second year of his contract is only guaranteed for $14 million but that is a heavy cap hit if you want to cut him. The Jazz price for Malik Beasley is fair, as a lot of teams are pegging his value as a first-round pick.
It seems like this is a real standing offer between the Lakers and Jazz. A deal that is very similar to this may be on the horizon; involving Westbrook and one or both of those two first-round picks for the Jazz role players.
Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.