NBA Rumors: Lakers To Be Involved In Any Donovan Mitchell Deal

The Utah Jazz want draft picks. Lots of them, as many as they can get, in any trade for Donovan Mitchell. And you know those two available first-rounders the Los Angeles Lakers have, and are considering trading for the right return? The Jazz want those, too. 

Knicks likely to add Lakers as third team in deal with Jazz to acquire Mitchell 👀👀

Jazz are interested in the two unprotected first rounders that the Lakers have. Could be a situation where the Jazz take on Westbrook’s contract in the trade.

— Knicks Zone (@KnicksZone__) August 29, 2022

NBA Insider Marc Stein says that "league sources say there's a decent chance that the Lakers will be involved in (any Donovan Mitchell) deal." 

The reason? Those 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, which Stein calls just "the kind of top-shelf draft picks that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is believed to covet. In such a scenario, Russell Westbrook would be heading to Utah. Ainge would simply waive him. 

"Russell Westbrook's $47M expiring contract and those picks could be the Lakers' entree to a potential three-team swap ... depending on the players that would land in Los Angeles."

The Lakers have stood firm on the notion that the only way they'd include both of those picks in a deal would be if the return would have a significant impact on returning them to contender status this season.

So although Mitchell might not be heading to LA, the Lakers just might be involved.

Photo: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports, Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports