Exec Discusses Possible Westbrook Swap for $117 Million Star: ‘Lakers Will Do It’

The Los Angeles Lakers will probably look a lot different next season. They were eliminated from the playoff race and the failed season will force the front office to make some serious changes. Russell Westbrook is first on the list of potential trade candidates. The Westbrook swap won’t really shock Lakers fans. They booed the All-Star during games despite the fact that he is a California native.

The Houston Rockets made an offer, but they wanted Westbrook and a first-round pick. Rob Pelinka turned it down and finished the regular season with Westbrook in the fold.

Realistic Westbrook swap

Sean Deveney from Heavy.com talked to an Eastern Conference exec. The results? It seems like the Lakers will do whatever it takes to get rid of Brodie. Who is their trade partner? The New York Knicks. Swapping Westbrook for Julius Randle makes some sense at this point.

“If the Lakers can get off of Westbrook’s contract, no matter who it is, they’re going to do it,” the executive said. “They are not worried about length of contract at this point. They are not worrying about gumming up the books for the future, they’re worried about right now. If the Knicks are willing to take Westbrook and get rid of Randle’s contract, the Lakers will do it. But the question is fit. Randle is another guy who needs the ball, it was not a great pairing having him and AD together when they were in New Orleans.

“Randle came off the bench, that is really the only way to make that work. Would he do that for the Lakers? And the other thing is, can you get the Knicks to put Evan Fournier in that deal? He was up and down last year, he has the big contract, too. You’re taking on more than $100 million over four years with Randle and $40 million in the next two with Fournier. But they can’t worry about two, three years from now. LeBron is 38. If you get a shooter Fournier plus Randle in a deal for Westbrook, sure the Lakers do that.”

Westbrook had issues with Lakers coaches and Frank Vogel benched him at the end of a few games. He had issues with Davis Fizdale as well. Some say Vogel is responsible for Westbrook’s bad season. Others believe the Lakers should get another coach to see if he bonds with the veteran.