Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
Anytime a superstar hits the open market, the Lakers are pretty much connected to them by default. However, in the case of Russell Westbrook, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a smidgen of mutual interest.
Now I must state that it’s highly unlikely Westbrook becomes a free agent–or at least gives any other teams a chance to meet with him. He appears committed to the Oklahoma City Thunder, having recently stated his love for his current situation (via NBA.com).
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It also helps his current club that he’s eligible for the Designed Player Exception, which would allow the Thunder to re-sign Westbrook for way more money than any other team can offer. So unless he’s willing to accept a huge pay cut in order to sign elsewhere, the likely 2016-17 NBA MVP appears destined to stay in OKC.
With that being said, stranger things happen in the sports world all the time.
What if Westbrook is eager to join George and form a superstar duo in Los Angeles? Maybe he wants to return to his roots (he was born in Long Beach and played his college basketball at UCLA)? Returning to his hometown team to bring the Lakers back to prominence seems like a realistic reason to spurn the Thunder and their absurd amounts of money.
Then there was this little rumor about Westbrook and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Brian Boyles:
"“Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Media Group, the same agency that represents Russell Westbrook, is Davis’ agent. A source close to Davis’ agent floated the possibility that the end game could find the two uniting in Los Angeles with the talent-starved Lakers.”"
Is it unlikely? Yes. Will the Lakers roll out the red carpet if they can score a meeting with Westbrook? Absolutely.