Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What if Lakers can't trade Russell Westbrook for Kyrie Irving?

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Jennifer Withers Hoey | Last updated 7/11/22

The Los Angeles Lakers are actively working on a way to trade Russell Westbrook to the Brooklyn Nets in return for Kyrie Irving.

It’s something of an open secret at this point. Everyone knows what’s what.

Currently two players are viewed as the roadblocks preventing a deal from going down, but the hope is that the issues will be overcome. A general framework for a perspective swap exists, and that is usually the first step.

But what happens if all sides involved can’t reach a deal? What if L.A. can’t unload Westbrook?

NBA insider Marc Stein addressed that topic last week:

Russ has heard the noise about trade talks and it could create a conundrum if Irving isn’t traded by training camp.

— Richard Staple, BSN, RN (@RichStapless) July 7, 2022

Russ is a strong minded person and will do his best to play better if it so happens that he’s still on the team, but it will create intense awakardness behind the scenes.

— Richard Staple, BSN, RN (@RichStapless) July 7, 2022

Stein says both LeBron and Kyrie want the reunion “badly”, and that Russ returning to the Lakers would be an untenable situation because of all of the noise of trade talks.

— Richard Staple, BSN, RN (@RichStapless) July 7, 2022

Westbrook attended summer league this past week and fell victim to a pretty brutal 3-word chant from Lakers fans. Clearly all sides involved would like to move on.

By any objective measure, Westbrook’s stint in Los Angeles has been an ugly one. He beefed with coaches. He beefed with fans. It has been awful to watch.

It’s time that everyone go their separate ways.

Will the Lakers and Nets be able to make that happen?

Time will tell.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

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