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The LA Lakers are just three games into the season, but the team is already considering replacing starting point guard Russell Westbrook. One name that has resurfaced as a possibility is Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier.
In other news, one of Russell Westbrook’s former teammates thinks he could leave the league soon based on his struggles early in the season.
In that regard, here are the latest rumors about the LA Lakers as of October 25, 2022.
LA Lakers reportedly interested in Hornets guard Terry Rozier
The LA Lakers are off to a terrible 0-3 start, plagued by terrible team shooting and point guard Russell Westbrook’s poor shot selection. As a result, the team is already looking at potential trades for new floor generals, especially those who can provide space for the team.One of the names that has been talked about lately is Terry of the Charlotte Hornets. is.
It was previously reported that the Lakers were in talks to trade Rozier in a four-team trade that included the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Lakers are still interested in Rozier.
“Charlotte’s Terry Rozier emerged as a Lakers trade target in the offseason and interest in him remains high, multiple sources tell The Athletic,” Charania said.
Charania added that Rozier’s acquisition potential will depend on the direction of the Charlotte Hornets as a franchise and whether they choose to rebuild.
“The Lakers and Hornets have been discussing potential three- or four-team trades over the summer and have rated him highly among potential trades, but the availability of a dynamic Hornets guard will be an issue in the future. It’s going to depend entirely on the direction of the franchise…that play as the season progresses.
“Lamelo Ball is sidelined with a grade 2 ankle sprain and Rozier recently suffered a sprained ankle, but the Hornets and coach Steve Clifford are off to a 2-1 start in the Eastern Conference.” Charania said.
The Charlotte Hornets are in a tough spot right now with the 21-year-old All-Star point guard around the LaMelo ball. Overall, though, the Hornets’ roster is still short of young talent.
With Ball co-star Miles Bridges losing to a pending assault trial, many are wondering if Charlotte will trade veterans and tanks. The Lakers will probably jump at the opportunity to add Rozier and some of the Hornets’ other veterans.
Given Westbrooks’ $47.1 million deal, the trade could include a combination of Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre, or Mason Plumlee in addition to Rosier.
That said, the 28-year-old Rozier is arguably the Lakers’ biggest prize in a potential deal with the Hornets.
In 207 career games with Charlotte, Rosier averaged 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 3-pointers and shot from 38.8% of the range per game. In contrast, his L.A. Lakers as a team are only 3 games out of 3. He’s shooting only 21.2%.
Former teammates believe Russell Westbrook could be out of league soon
Russell Westbrook has struggled tremendously in his first three games with the LA Lakers this season. One of his own former teammates wonders if Westbrook’s time in the NBA is coming to an end.
Former 14-year NBA big man Kendrick Perkins played 227 games over five seasons for Westbrook of the OKC Thunder. This includes his 2011–2012 season when the Thunder made it to his NBA Finals. So Perkins has seen Westbrook at his best first hand.
However, Perkins, now an ESPN analyst, had some harsh but blunt words for Westbrook during his recent appearance on “First Take.” Perkins first spoke about how the Lakers should have traded Westbrook in the offseason.
“Is Russ’ game declining? Exactly…should Rob Pelinka trade Russ this offseason? Exactly,” Perkins said.
Perkins then offered to send Westbrook home until the Lakers found a trade for him.
“So let’s talk about now. What are you going to do now?…you’ll send him home until someone finds a place to trade him…sadly, currently , there’s no GM in the league willing to give Russ a chance and take him in. It’s their locker room,” Perkins said.
Finally, Perkins added that Westbrook could be dropped from the league early next season.
“If he (Westbrook) isn’t careful, he’ll be out of the league next year,” Perkins said.
In three games with the LA Lakers, Westbrook is averaging just 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He currently shoots only 28.9% from the field and 8.3% from 3.
Westbrook could be making $47.1 million this season, making it tough for the Lakers to send him home. But at this point, it may be addition and subtraction for the struggling Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers also interested in Spurs winger Josh Richardson
Another potential LA Lakers trade target mentioned in The Athletic’s Shams Charania report is San Antonio Spurs veteran wing Josh Richardson.
“The Lakers have also been in preliminary talks with the Spurs in recent weeks, and sources say they are interested in three-and-d winger Josh Richardson. I’m averaging nearly 13 points in 2019 and averaging 47.1% on 5.67 3-point attempts per game,” Charania said.
Josh Richardson may not be as famous as Terry Rozier when it comes to trade goals for the LA Lakers. But he could help the Lakers more than Russell Westbrook.
Richardson is averaging 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in his career while shooting 36.6%. So he could be his viable 3-and-D player for the Lakers. The only problem is he will expire his $12.2 million contract and will be a free agent next season. But the Lakers have no choice at this point.
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