Lakers Rumors: Latest on Potential Russell Westbrook Trade, Drew Gooden Interest
Remember when the Los Angeles Lakers were a free-agent destination?
Ah, the good old days—emphasis on "old."
What was once a landing spot for top available stars every summer has become a franchise well-acquainted with rejection.
No, Kevin Durant didn’t even meet with the Lakers this summer before choosing the Golden State Warriors, but his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder could still help L.A.
Let’s talk about a trade rumor involving KD’s former teammate, as well as a report about a potential veteran the Lakers could add.
On July 5, a day after KD chose the Dubs, ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst reported that if Russell Westbrook doesn’t sign an extension this summer, OKC could look to trade the star point guard.
One potential suitor? The Lakers.
Westbrook is heading into the final year of his contract, however, which makes it almost pointless for Los Angeles to dump all of its assets.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Chris Broussard talked about the possibility of the Purple and Gold luring Westbrook to sign instead of making a blockbuster trade:
"The Lakers think they can sign him (Westbrook)," Broussard said. "I was talking to some people, some executives yesterday about possible trades they might do, or offer, and I was told they think they can sign him as a free agent. So, why should they give up anything?"
ESPN’s Tom Penn agrees:
Broussard also mentioned the New York Knicks as a potential landing spot if the Thunder decide to move on.
One thing L.A. and New York have in common is fashion. Westbrook has quickly taken over the fashion universe like few other athletes over the past few years. It’s possible he decides to join either team as a means of expanding his personal brand.
The Lakers have D’Angelo Russell and the newly re-signed Jordan Clarkson, which could lead to too many cooks in the backcourt kitchen. By contrast, the Knicks will watch Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings come off the books next summer.
After seeing NYK overpay for a deal that landed Carmelo Anthony (who could've just signed as a free agent months later) in the Big Apple back in 2011, it appears the Lakers seem content with exercising patience.
Broussard still thinks Westbrook might end up there for good:
"See, Russ doesn’t strike me as the type to manipulate this. But if Oklahoma City kind of orchestrates and pushes him to like, ‘Look, we can’t get a commitment, we’re going to have to move you,’ they’re only going to be able to move him to a team that he would sign with long term."
An MVP candidate like Westbrook would surely make the Lakers a playoff team. It would also be huge for the team's recruiting reputation.
No player says “Showtime” quite like Drew Gooden, eh?
On Thursday, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reported that the Lakers have interest in signing the free-agent big man:
At 34 years old, Gooden won’t affect the wins column as much as he will the locker room. The presence of veterans—especially on a young team like L.A.’s—continues to be an underrated part of roster-building in today’s NBA.
Gooden is not the future. He averaged a career-low 2.7 points and 2.8 boards last season. But while he wouldn't light up the box score, Gooden would provide valuable insight to Julius Randle and the team’s other rising stars as they try to bring the Lakers back to glory.
Per Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, Los Angeles is likely to have the chance to sign the former Washington Wizard:
L.A. shouldn't throw Timofey Mozgov-type money at him (only half-kidding), but bringing Gooden onboard wouldn’t be a bad idea.
