Aloha,
Well the Russ trade proposals keep coming hot and heavy and will only intensify over the coming weeks. Now of course all of these are writers coming up with them. There actually has only been two teams that are said to be possibly interested in a trade for Russ. The Hornets and the Rockets.
So what I have been doing is pulling up these teams on Bleacher Report just to see what the local writers with some inside information have to say. Sadly Russ is never mentioned. For instance the Pacers are interested in Colin Sexton. They could offer Buddy to the Cav’s for Sexton. Considering the Cav’s need floor spacers they would probably go for it. It would depend on the offers Sexton receives.
This is the way it is with every team. Even the Hornets site aren’t talking about Russ but they are talking a lot about other targets. Primarily centers with Hayward mentioned. This is why I think the Lakers have asked for plans on using Russ. Not so much that they want to keep him but after a month of talking to teams there is the very real possibility that they won’t be able to find a trade.
The same thing goes for THT and Nunn, neither are talked about on other sites. On the brighter side Monk is not being talked much by the teams that could sign him for more then the mini mid level.
It’s still early and deals that no one has even thought of may surface. Still, I’m not holding my breathe.
I think the Lakers will end up trading Russ but I believe they will include a pick to do it but will be able to get two better players as a result of giving up the pick. I think the Lakers have no real intent to bring Russ back. He burned that bridge and Rob is not going to make the same mistake twice. Burdening a rookie head coach with Westbrook would be criminal idiocy. Russ must go, even if it costs a pick.
I think the Lakers want to trade Russ as badly as you do Tom. But I also believe that they are being realistic. Russ is no one’s plan A. If he were a deal probably would be done. He maybe a last resort for a few teams. That’s going to play out after free agency opens up. I truly hope they can find a deal but like I said, I’m not holding my breathe.
We’ll find out over the next month, Michael. I think there are teams for whom cleaning up their cap sheet will have a high priority.
Again, it’s going to be a version of musical chairs. I believe there will be teams who want Russ’ $47M expiring contract and there will be pressure to make a deal that will help the Lakers make a reasonable trade.
I also do believe the Lakers will probably take the best deal they can get rather than keeping Russ because they really don’t want to jinx Ham’s rookie season by giving him Russ. Ham was a big win for the Lakers long-term. They’re not going to screw him with Westbrook.
That could mean the Lakers take a trade like the Knicks trade, which I still think is Plan G or H, which would then extend the rebuild to the trade deadline. One way or another, Lakers are going to end the Westbrook experiment.
I doubt there is anyone who wants to keep Russ. But the reality is when there is a decent player involved a teams just isn’t going to dump a player without exhausting all possibilities first. Especially small market teams like the Pacers that are not a draw for free agency. I used the Sexton for Buddy example that is out there. Now let’s say the Knicks can’t find their PG in free agency which maybe the case since there are only a couple of good ones on the Market. They send Reddish , Walker and one of their 3 1st rounders in the next two years. So they have moved the contracts that they want, picked up the young guard they want, added a promising young forward and added a first rounder. And they only will have to eat Walkers 9.5 mil. This is what all these teams will look to do. Our only chance is that they can’t find a good deal and fall back on Russ. And even then they could hold a player till the trade deadline. These are useful players.
Me either, I also don’t think Russ has burned any bridges that can’t be fixed. Kobe wanted to play on Pluto, Magic wanted out. These guys are expected to give perfect answers, Russ has never been good with the media, either. I long ago prepared myself mentally and physically for us to, at a minimum, start next season with Russ on the team and on the court starting.
Russ’ play and response to coaching was how he burned bridges with everybody on the Lakers. We’re at a crisis point for the franchise, which is the worst possible time to be thinking about doubling down on Russell Westbrook. That is the worst option and it’s not going to happen.
5 Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.
I’ll be here waiting for you with a virtual hug when you get to stage 5, LT lol
“5 Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.”
Ooh, I like that, Jamie. Good one!
Russ didn’t jive with Frankie and Frankie has left the building. Ham will command alot more respect if nothing else