Russ no mas

[Spud2nique]

Lakers wanna just ship on Russ.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-have-reportedly-discussed-trading-russell-westbrook-internally-but-that-doesnt-make-a-deal-likely/amp/

The trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook simply hasn’t blended as well as Lakers figures hoped, and Los Angeles has held internal discussions on trade scenarios for Russell Westbrook, league sources told B/R. But moving Westbrook and the two years, $91 million remaining on his contract does seem unlikely. 

Sources tell B/R the LA Lakers have had internal conversations about trading Russell Westbrook, but no serious talks have materialized with potential trade partners.Ringo H.W. Chiu/Associated Press

Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio’s salaries would match Westbrook’s pricey deal, reuniting James with a former championship counterpart. But that structure would have little interest from the Cavaliers’ side and has not yet been discussed by the two teams, sources said. Outside of Love’s large number, there are simply few players aside from John Wall, for whom Westbrook was traded to Washington last summer, who are available for trade and come close to Westbrook’s earnings. 

One of those players is Ben Simmons. The Athleticreported Los Angeles’ interest in Simmons on Monday, and Westbrook’s salary, outside of James’ and Davis’, is the only number on the Lakers’ books that can match Simmons’ own lofty deal. Even then, Westbrook is not a player on the Sixers’ list of hopeful returns, league sources told B/R, and conversations with the Lakers never developed very far.