Since I first suggested that Russell Westbrook be traded to the Jazz, there have been a few major developments:
#1 - The Jazz no longer sound as if they were committed to building around Donovan Mitchell, and vice versa.
#2 - Besides putting Mitchell on the trading block, they also made Mike Conley, Patrick Beverly and Jarred Vanderbilt (and everyone else) available.
3 - The ScapeGOAT fired his agent, supposedly having something to do with Westbrook's desire to leave the Lakers.
4 - But now, the Lakers "Big 3" have made peace and decided to tough out next season together.
And it's actually that last report that's the most important. The Lakers roster, as currently constructed, looks worst than that of last season - and that's saying a lot. But if they play the right way, as in an in-and-out game since they have arguably the two best low-post players in the league, then they should, at least in theory, be unstoppable.
But then it's also like, you gotta let Lebron be Lebron (and AD be AD). He decided to run a lot of point last season, even with Anthony Davis out and the Lakers having virtually no low-post presence at all to compensate. And he was damn good, or at least entertaining at it. But granted, in the game of basketball you must beg the question of why the biggest dude on your team is out playing on the perimeter.
Or what I'm also thinking is that even if Lebron doesn't defer PG duties to Westbrook, he may do so to a more established PG, like Mike Conley. Conley would also be better playing at the 2 next to LBJ, since his shot is more consistent than Westbrook's.
Jarrod Vanderbilt can also prove useful as a Laker, since he doesn't seem to be the type of player who needs the ball in his hands to make an impact. Last season, he basically played alongside three chucks while with the Timberwolves but still managed to grab 8rpg and shoot nearly 60% from the field.
Patrick Beverly would also be a sound addition, but maybe just not on the floor at the time as Lebron. He also has a reputation as a defensive specialist, which is always good to have around when the core of your team consists of aged players.
And getting two quality PGs in general would be a big help since, make no mistake about it, the Lakers biggest problem is at the point. It amazes me how few analysts seem to be able to realize that. If you put the ball in Lebron hands from end-to-end, he'll put on a show. But him being outside makes the middle too weak (with AD not around, and sometimes even with). And even though he may be an amazing passer for his size or whatever, his run-and-gun style isn't conducive to team play.
Lebron and AD are a lot like KD and Kyrie. None of them, for the good of their team, should be running point except on occasion. And just like Ben Simmons may be someone KD/Kyrie respects enough to let him run point, it could also be like that with Conley + Beverly in LA. Then if you also send Westbrook to Utah, it's like him + Mitchell + a bunch of draft picks is a combination no one ever considered before, so who knows how it'll work out?
CONCLUSION
Let me once again say for the record that I believe in LBJ + Westbrook + AD, if dudes all sat down, committed to playing out the season together and actually agree to at least try to follow the dictates of Darvin Ham. But these aren't schoolboys; they're NBA superstars with championship and/or MVP levels of success, who can't just suddenly be expected to become something they're not. And it isn't a good look when one day we're hearing they're going to play it through, and then the next Westbrook's name is being inferred in trade talks again.
The biggest mistake LAL made was not leaving any wiggle room to actually upgrade the roster from last season to next. Like who would have thought that Malik Monk leaving town could one day deflate the almighty Lakers so much?
Meanwhile, Utah is a team looking at its future. Breaking up Mitchell and Gobert is something they probably should have done a couple of years ago, but again, building around Mitchell now with a bunch of draft picks isn't the worst idea. All they need to do is impress him enough to want to stay, and like I said before, the Jazz are obviously in a position where they're going to have to try something unorthodox. So bringing Westbrook over isn't the worst idea also if he too actually wants to be there, because he brings a complete skillset and major competitive spirit with him.
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