Lakers Should Look to Trade Russell Westbrook amid Mike Conley, Malik Beasley Rumors

With Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time to make a blockbuster move geared toward salvaging the 2022-23 season.

While the Lakers aren't quite out of trade options just yet, those are dwindling, too.

Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving—a very logical trade target, given his prior affiliation with LeBron James—was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks to kick off the week. Los Angeles was in on Irving before the Dallas deal was finalized, and according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, it made a strong offer.

"The Lakers offered the Nets a package of Westbrook and two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 for Irving in the last two days, sources with knowledge of the discussions said," Charania wrote.

It wasn't enough, though, as the Nets also wanted Austin Reaves and Max Christie in the deal. With L.A. unwilling to cede the pair, Brooklyn opted to go with the Mavericks' package of Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and 2027 and 2029 second-round picks.

What the offer tells us is that the Lakers are serious about adding one more key piece to the core duo of James and Anthony Davis. It also tells us that, despite becoming a valuable sixth man this season, Westbrook is still expendable.

Another potential trade package might be available for the Lakers with Westbrook being a part of it.

"One of the possible trade destinations for Westbrook, Utah, also remains a major catalyst ahead of the deadline," Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer wrote. "Any deal that sends Westbrook to the Jazz would almost certainly include veteran point guard Mike Conley, wing shooter Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt."

As we examined yesterday, a Conley-Beasley package could actually benefit Los Angeles' roster more than Irving would have. Conley is a terrific off-ball point guard, while Beasley is a career 38-percent three-point shooter—and shooting is something L.A. desperately needs.

Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is a 6'8" forward who could help address the Lakers' lack of size on the bench.

In addition to being a logical option for the Lakers, Utah's package might be the best one left on the table.

Other enticing point-guard trade targets—like Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors and the Detroit Pistons' Bojan Bogdanović—could either be unobtainable for the Lakers or unavailable altogether.

According to Fischer, the Lakers are among the teams eying VanVleet. However, the cross-town Clippers and Phoenix Suns may be closer to making a deal with Toronto.

"Several opposing executives have since labeled VanVleet as the most likely Raptor to be traded ahead of Thursday's deadline," Fischer wrote. "A pair of Western Conference contenders in the L.A. Clippers and Phoenix Suns have been often mentioned as VanVleet suitors."

Per Fischer, "rival teams are still under the impression that Detroit plans to hold on to veteran sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanović."

While VanVleet would be a great fit next to James and Davis, the Raptors could be more inclined to deal with Phoenix or the Clippers—in other words, a team not looking to unload Westbrook's contract.

If that happens, the ensuing dominoes could quickly lead to Utah moving Conley to another team that isn't offering up Westbrook—and the remainder of his $47 million salary. According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Jazz would likely buy out Westbrook's contract rather than keep him.

The Lakers, meanwhile, could be left scrambling to put a last-minute deal together for a less-promising package.

Beasley could still be an option, as could Toronto's O.G. Anunoby—another solid two-way player who would accentuate L.A.'s roster. However, a package of Conley, Beasley and possibly Vanderbilt could be gone.

It could be gone even if the Raptors don't make a move first. According to Fischer, the Jazz have also discussed a Beasley-Vanderbilt package with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks.

According to MacMahon, the Jazz have discussed acquiring Obi Toppin and Evan Fournier from New York.

If the framework for a Utah deal is in place, the Lakers need to flip the switch on a trade now. That is, if they still believe that contending this season is possible. Their offer for Irving suggests that they do, but the opportunity to add more than just recent trade acquisition Rui Hachimura could dissipate in a flash.

It's time for GM Rob Pelinka and Los Angeles to act. If they don't, and possibly well before the deadline nears, the Lakers might as well pack it in for 2023 and start looking ahead to next season. The team is better than it was at the start of the season, but what the Lakers have still isn't enough to chase a championship.

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*Contract information via Spotrac.