NBA rumors are filled with reports that the Los Angeles Lakers are keeping a big secret. They have an unnamed trade target in mind. Speculations are high if they are pointing towards the Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook.
The Los Angeles Lakers are on a huge revamp schedule. They are rebuilding the whole team and this also involves a huge adjustment in their roster. They started the process by letting Byron Scott go. He is placed by the Lakers and Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton.
To add to their young roster, the Lakers took in Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac in the 2016 NBA draft. Along with this they also signed Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng in huge deals. This is after they failed to acquire their target superstars. Right after Kevin Durant decided to take his place at the Golden State Warriors, there are rumors that Lakers now have all eyes set on Russell Westbrook. They are ready to grab him off the trading block, reported Basketball Insiders.
It was noted that there are several teams who expressed their interest to trade for Russell Westbrook. Los Angeles Lakers also expressed the same as they are looking for the next face to represent the franchise after Kobe Bryant retired. There are stars in the making like D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram. They are very good quality players. However, they need a few more years to prove their skills and their consistency.
There were reports that were already doing the rounds that LA Lakers have an unnamed target in mind that they are willing to take off the trading block. The Lakers are already re-constructing their NBA team. If they are serious about trading their young players, they should at the minimum acquire a superstar like Russell Westbrook. The Lakers are not yet signing Brandon Ingram which makes him a good trade asset, reported Sportsrageous.
Still 3 rookie scale contracts (not players stashed) unsigned; Brandon Ingram (LAL), Thon Maker (MIL) and Domantas Sabonis (OKC).
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 29, 2016
However, the Lakers have not yet confirmed that they are going to trade their younger players if they acquire superstars. It should be noted that Russell Westbrook will become a free agent next season. So if Lakers trade their younger players, it will prove too risky for them.
Things now look like a double edged sword for Lakers. If they end up last in 2016-17 season, they will not be able to attract any superstar into the team. At the same time, if they continue to hoard young players, they might end up being the last team in the Western Conference again.
