The belief in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room is that a massive trade move could turn them into an instant championship contender. However, the belief took a massive hit when the Lakers lost a chance to acquire Kyrie Irving. Russell Westbrook was believed to be the player that the Lakers would have traded in exchange for the former Brooklyn Nets guard, who recently joined the Dallas Mavericks. After a disappointing end to the trade negotiations with the Nets, Russell Westbrook has recently been associated with a former team of Lebron James. The recent news about a potential Lakers trade before the February 9 trade deadline has yielded some interesting reactions from the fans on Twitter.
The Lakers tried to get rid of Russell Westbrook during the off-season. However, Westbrook was left untraded and things have improved a lot for the Lakers star in comparison to his last season. In fact, Westbrook is contending for the Sixth Man of the Year award this season and has been recently associated with LeBron’s former team the Miami Heat,?according to recent reports.
Is Westbrook moving to Miami?
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Russell Westbrook has been linked with Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat for a long time. However, the direct trade deal involving Westbrook and Kyle Lowry seems improbable, given that Miami would have to pay a hefty sum in luxury tax.?
The Miami Heat have been linked to Russell Westbrook in a buyout situation, per @EricPincus pic.twitter.com/PfRyEkUAo3
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 7, 2023
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, “Instead, the team could be open to adding Westbrook to play with Lowry- but Miami might need a small trade to avoid, the tax, even to sign Westbrook at the minimum for the last couple of months of the season.”
Thus, the report suggested that the Lakers might end up trading Westbrook in a buyout situation if the negotiations go well. Westbrook has posted some impressive performances coming off the bench this season. In 34 appearances, the nine-time All-Star has averaged 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game with 3.5 turnovers.
Given the value Westbrook has generated this season, he becomes the prime trading option for the LeBron James -led Lakers. However, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers manage to finalize a deal with the deadline just a couple of days away.
Fans react to Russell Westbrook trade rumors
The report about Westbrook possibly landing in Miami before the trade deadline drew some heartening responses from the fans. One excited fan wrote, “Makes perfect sense, if it ends up happening. Westbrook and butler would be a crazy duo to watch.”
Makes perfect sense, if it ends up happening. Westbrook and butler would be a crazy duo to watch.
— jeber (@jebermane) February 7, 2023
Another fan commented,?“I’d like this to happen.” Here are some other reactions from the fans.
I'd like to see this happen.
— FantasyMagic (@jamesabaileyjr) February 7, 2023
Why not? @russwest44 pic.twitter.com/sXm0P98XeB
— GateSe7en 🏀⚽⭐⭐🌟⭐⭐📯 (@gate_se7en) February 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/RealDealZo/status/1622974396330831878
Westbrook would thrive in Miami
— Himmy Butler (@Boakye6) February 7, 2023
I wouldn’t mind it.. only if it’s a buyout situation
— 𝙈𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙫𝙨𝘼𝙇𝙇🔥 (@DFrost305) February 7, 2023
I wouldn’t mind it.. only if it’s a buyout situation
— 𝙈𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙫𝙨𝘼𝙇𝙇🔥 (@DFrost305) February 7, 2023
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Miami can’t even sign a G leaguer right now without risking the repeater tax lol.
— Al (@Bigbluecrew56) February 7, 2023
Many fans seem to agree with the proposition of Russell Westbrook being traded to the Miami Heat. However, some fans also felt that the Heat were in no position to trade for the Lakers star, given their luxury tax issues.
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What do you think about Russell Westbrook being traded to the Heat? Let us know in the comments below!