The Lakers are interested in talking to the Wizards about a Russell Westbrook for Dennis Schroder, Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker trade, according to report

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to improve on a disappointing 2020-21 NBA season where they had to make the playoffs by playing games in the play-in tournament, all in the same season when they were defending their 2020 NBA championship.

Their hope? To get a veteran point guard? Who do they want to get?

A Wizards player of course!

Okay, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

In an article by Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, the Lakers are interested in bringing in a veteran point guard this offseason even though LeBron James is their point guard for all intents and purposes (and he plays point guard better than almost … or possibly better than … every other point guard).

Their top target is Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, whom Spears wrote primarily about. But Russell Westbrook. They are interested in getting Westbrook for Dennis Schroder (who is about to enter free agency), Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker. Here is the money quote:

According to sources, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have been on the hunt for a veteran point guard, and Paul is on the list. There have also been talks about Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook being a potential candidate to move back home to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade deal that could include free agent point guard Dennis Schroder, forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Talen Horton-Tucker, sources said.

If the Wizards were to execute such a trade, they would get two players who could start right away in Schroder and Kuzma, but Kuzma’s role in particular would overlap with Rui Hachimura’s since they play the same position. In other words, this trade would likely force the Wizards to a rebuild, since it’s unclear whether Bradley Beal would like such a move. And even if he did, next year’s team would have a much different look than this past season’s.

Harrison Faigen of SB Nation’s Silver Screen and Roll has more analysis on what’s needed for such a trade to happen here.

Let us know your thoughts on this possible trade in the comments below.