Los Angeles Lakers fans would love an upgrade from point guard Russell Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving’s demand to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets could open the door for that possibility. The latest NBA trade deadline odds show that a Russell Westbrook-Kyrie Irving trade could be coming in the near future.
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Russell Westbrook Trade More Likely After Kyrie Irving News?
DraftKings Sportsbook has released lines on many NBA players to be traded ahead of next week’s deadline. As of yesterday, Westbrook was a slight underdog (+170) to be moved ahead of the trade deadline. But after the Kyrie Irving trade demand, he has now been taken off the board by the sportsbook.
Westbrook has carved out a role for himself as a sixth man in the Lakers’ rotation this season and has enjoyed a little more success than his dismal 2021-22 campaign. But he still frustrates many of the Lakers faithful with horrid offensive performances, and the calls for a trade were quite loud on social media after he went 2-16 from the floor against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Lakers and Utah Jazz have had some conversations about a potential Westbrook trade even before the Irving news hit the news cycle.
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz have had exploratory conversations centered around star guard Russell Westbrook, league sources tell Bleacher Report. However, the Lakers are said to be in communication with most teams to sift through the most reasonable and logical options available.
Westbrook has found his comfort zone as the team’s top reserve, placing him in the conversation for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Though his play has improved since accepting his new role, he has remained available for trade,” Haynes wrote in his latest column.
The Lakers point guard is averaging 15.7 points per game to go along with 7.6 assists and 6.3 total rebounds. Needless to say, Irving (27.1 points per game) would provide a much-needed boost to the Lakers’ backcourt, but it remains to be seen whether or not the framework for a potential Westbrook-Irving trade makes sense for both teams.
Based on the latest NBA trade deadline odds, Westbrook and Irving could very well be dealt over the next week. Time will tell if LeBron James will be getting Irving back on his squad, though.
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