One NBA insider believes the Los Angeles Lakers can trade Russell Westbrook to an Eastern Conference rival.

GettyLakers star Russell Westbrook on October 28, 2022

In a January 5 article called “Bulls Trade Targets with 2023 NBA Trade Deadline a Month Away,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley wrote that the Chicago Bulls are a potential landing spot for Westbrook if they decide to blow up their core and enter a rebuild.

“Look, the blow-it-up option may not be the likeliest outcome for Chicago this trade season, but it can’t be ruled out, either. And if the Bulls do take that plunge, they can’t half-step into a rebuild.

Rather, they should take the plunge head-first. That means not merely moving a veteran or two for a decent asset, but instead shipping out major contributors for prime assets,” Buckley wrote.

“Now, if you’re thinking a 34-year-old Russell Westbrook hardly qualifies as such, you’re right—but he isn’t the true target. He’s merely the means to an end: that being the juicy 2027 and 2029 first-round picks the Lakers are allowed to trade. Pick up both of those picks—which won’t convey until long after LeBron James leaves Hollywood—and the Bulls could suddenly have two prime assets to help reshape their roster.

Even if they don’t plan on staying down long enough to use those picks themselves, they could get them now and use them in a major trade down the line, once the rebuilding project proves it’s ready to accelerate.”

If the Bulls tear down their roster, they could be interested in Westbrook since the All-Star guard is on an expiring contract. The Lakers have been connected to DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Los Angeles could trade Westbrook and its unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to Chicago.

Source: dailylifeworld.com