Proposed 3-Team Blockbuster Trade Gives Lakers a Former No. 1 Pick

Ready for another blockbuster trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers and another team? The Brooklyn Nets have been commonly mentioned as a trade partner for the Lakers.

Russell Westbrook is one of the biggest topics at the moment. The Lakers didn’t make a move to get rid of Brodie despite all the struggles he had last season.

Bill Simmons from The Ringer discussed a three-team deal involving the Lakers.

“Well, [Thunder GM] Sam Presti OKC, former home of Russell Westbrook, taking the hometown hero home for a year,” the analyst explained during a June 6, 2022 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” “Get a couple Lakers’ first [draft picks] out of it. Lakers get Kyrie and the Nets just get a huge trade exception, that’s it and then try to figure out what to do with it. I feel like the Nets would have to get something in that though, and I don’t know what it is. But if I’m OKC, I’ll take Westbrook’s money for a year. Give me some more firsts, great.

“Oh, I get more, I get Lakers’ first now in 2027. I don’t even know who’s going to be on their team in 2027. We’ll take that, we’ll take [the 2029] pick swap too, great. We’ll take Westbrook off your hands. I think that’s the most realistic one. And then, Westbrook comes home, conquering hero, even though he didn’t really conquer anything other than some first-round losses. I could see that one happening.”

Lebron speaking about Kyrie ? pic.twitter.com/qPifShBijG

— Lil Mountain ? (@_Kyrieinthe4th_) August 21, 2021

The blockbuster trade may not be an option for the Lakers after all

Brian Lewis from New York Post wouldn’t agree on this one. He still believes that Irving will sign a contract extension with his team. He missed a big chunk of the regular season due to COVID protocols.

“Despite a report that the Nets are ‘outright unwilling’ to re-sign Kyrie Irving long term — and speculation about him being traded — all indications strongly point toward a reunion between Brooklyn and its All-Star point guard,” Lewis wrote on June 6.

“Irving has until June 29 to decide whether he will opt out of the final $36.5 million year of his contract for 2022-23 and become a free agent. But both Nets and league sources told The Post an extension is more likely.”