Lebron James and the LA Lakers are 8-12 this season, which is thirteenth in the Western Conference. The season started off poorly for LA and Russell Westbrook was struggling. Head coach Darwin Hamm decided to move Westbrook off the bench and overhaul the team. A proposed trade, however, would send Westbrook and two Lakers first-round picks to Chicago for two Bulls All-Stars.
On a podcast with Bill Simmons, he said the Lakers should take advantage of a potential trade with Chicago. The proposal sends DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to the Lakers for Westbrook and two first-round picks. If it somehow happens, that’s a blockbuster business.
Deebo brought Raging Bull 5s 🔥@DeMar_DeRozan | #BullsKicks pic.twitter.com/jpeVqFLZ60
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 1, 2022
Could we see this blockbuster trade happen between LA and Chicago?
If Chicago wants to rebuild this future, a trade with the Lakers could be the right move for Bill Simmons.
“DeRozan and Vucevic for the Lakers and Russ and those two [first-round picks] And make 27 unexpected, make 29 top-five expected,”… “If you’re the Lakers, you’re going to keep Davis, I think it’s crazy, but it looks like they’re going to. If you want lebron. – Bill Simon
He explained how LeBron expressed his concerns to the Lakers about wasting another year while still competing at the highest level.
“LeBron has already released all these emotions. ‘You know, you don’t want to waste a great year for me.’ And the west is open, so you can talk yourself. What will happen [Rob] Will Pelinka be fired if the deal doesn’t work out? He will be fired anyway.” – Bill Simon
Interestingly, the Lakers had a chance to sign DeRozan in 2021 and the two shared a mutual interest in signing him. Westbrook is still owed $47 million and the Lakers are increasing the draft to make a trade for Westbrook more attractive. A big reason behind trading Westbrook is that the Lakers want to try and clear cap space for the 2023-24 season.
