NBA reporter Marc Stein has said that discussions are going on between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks for a possible Russell Westbrook deal. There is just one caveat: the Knicks are waiting to also acquire Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and without that, the Westbrook deal won’t take place.
Knicks GM Leon Rose is determined to get him on the team. They have already acquired Jalen Brunson and are going for Mitchell as well. Mitchell has been made available for trade by Jazz GM Danny Ainge. Ainge wants only one thing; future draft picks and a few decent players to rebuild the team.
“One league source advised me in Las Vegas to keep an eye on the Knicks and Lakers discussing a potential Westbrook deal if — IF — Leon Rose can successfully bring Donovan Mitchell to Madison Square Garden.” 👀👀👀
(Via https://t.co/4zRK4kJGWU) pic.twitter.com/VS7jGYjwA1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 18, 2022
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They have already given away three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neal. Mitchell’s time has also come. The Knicks have a few picks and Ainge wants to compete with Sam Presti for the largest number of first-round draft picks.
Marc Stein has also suggested that Julius Randle is being put up for trade by the New York Knicks. According to the reporter, a swap with Westbrook provides a great solution for them. It would help them clean Randle’s four-year $117 million extension and, on the other hand, Westbrook’s $47.1 million player option won’t also apply to the Lakers anymore.
Some fans are thinking the Knicks are crazy to go to Westbrook after his performance last season. These are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
wtf are the Knicks trying to do ??😭😭 https://t.co/1HqSxGsfcP
— 👁️👄👁️ HOLLYWOOD (@WOKEHOLLYWOOD) July 18, 2022
“Knicks fear simply trading for Donovan Mitchell without doing something else stupid would make them seem too competent” https://t.co/oBkGKZllxB
— KJ Doyle (@kjdoyletv) July 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/JordanCanes/status/1549155031697354752?s=20&t=0RVRdWeF95g0HXVmrC9TAw
The Knicks are DETERMINED to move up and take that 10th seed next season 😤 https://t.co/UEl07yXnEX
— Ariel Attias (@Arielattias2) July 18, 2022
Taking on Westbrook’s expiring salary to get off of Randle’s 4-year $117m is rather appealing https://t.co/jdIIrApptD
— Lucas Burns (@nba_indepth) July 18, 2022
Will a Russell Westbrook-Donovan Mitchell combo work?
Both Mitchell and Westbrook have got criticism for their performances. Westbrook has had a torrid season with the Lake. It was supposed to be a sweet homecoming for the MVP but it has now turned into a nightmare. He has buckled under the pressure of being a Laker. Westbrook was often asked to take the reins of the ship but failed, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis being injured for most parts of the season.
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His field goal efficiency of? 44.4% hides a more woeful shooting performance. There are highlight reels after highlight reels of him missing open shots. His “ball hogging” has also been considered too detrimental to the team. Westbrook’s attitude created problems in the locker room. The guard had publicly questioned former Frank Vogel over his tactics.
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Will Westbrook turn out to be a liability for the Knicks? No one knows, but on the surface, this move does look bad on the Knicks.