Lakers discussing a Russell Westbrook trade with Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be active before Thursday'sNBA trade deadline and the team continues to shop Russell Westbrookand his massive $47 million expiring contract.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon is reportingthat the Lakers have discussed a deal that would send Westbrook tothe Utah Jazz. L.A. would also have to include their 2027 and 2029first-round picks in exchange for a combination of role playersthat would including Mike Conley, Malik Beasley and others.

MacMahon added that if such a deal happened, Westbrook wouldlikely receive a buyout rather than joining the team.

The Jazz have also talked with the New York Knicks about a dealthat would include Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt for Evan Fournier,Obi Toppin and draft compensation, according to MacMahon.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, who has a reputation for being a shrewdnegotiator in trades, told MacMahon: “We’ll try to be careful, butwe’re trying to get better as fast as we can — without beingpanicked, without rushing. We’re in control, and we feel like we’vegot to be smart about the decisions that we make.”

Utah has been one of the surprises of the NBA season, now at27-28 and sitting in the No. 10 spot in the Western Conferencedespite trading away its two stars – Donovan Mitchell and RudyGobert – before the season. While the team is in the last spot forthe Play-In Tournament, the Jazz are mainly focused on theirlong-term rebuild.

The Jazz continue to talk with teams around the league aboutdeals that could include Conley, Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt andJordan Clarkson. The team has three players it considersuntouchable: Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji.

The Jazz have also weighed their options as abuyer, expressing interest in Atlanta Hawks big man JohnCollins and Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels amongothers.