West Rumors: Lakers, Russell Westbrook, Mavs, Maxi Kleber, Jazz

Lakers

• The improved play of point guard Russell Westbrook has made it increasingly unlikely that he will be traded, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.
• Instead, the Lakers may look to move guards Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn, Amick wrote, echoing similar reports from the past several days.
• Beverley would likely want to return to the Timberwolves in the event he is traded to a team that buys out his contract, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
• The Lakers continue to be linked to Pistons wing Bojan Bogdanovic. We have the latest on that right here.

Mavericks

• Forward Maxi Kleber is out indefinitely after tearing his right hamstring during Tuesday’s practice, the team announced. Several reports have suggested it’s a 6-8 week timeframe.
• Surgery is among the options being considered treatment for the injury, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who added that it’s still too early to make that determination.
• Several sources around the league have told Hoops Wire they believe the Mavericks could soon part ways with veteran point guard Kemba Walker, signed earlier this month.
• The Mavs are still trying to replace the departed Jalen Brunson (Knicks), and might want Walker’s roster spot to help assist a trade, sources indicated.

Jazz

The Jazz could be one team that is set to make another trade ahead of the deadline, per Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated.

“As it turns out, they are neither the tanking team we all expected in October nor the surprise, top-tier playoff team they appeared to be in November,” Beck wrote. “They’re just a modestly talented, midtier team that’s as close to a playoff berth as it is to a lottery slot. In other words, they’re in the dreaded middle: not good enough to be relevant, not bad enough to get a high draft pick.”

One scenario is the Jazz moving on from several veterans to try to land more draft picks and play the lottery.

“The Jazz could cash out some combination of Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, Collin Sexton and Kelly Olynyk and stockpile more picks and young players, all while helping them sink in the standings and secure a higher draft pick,” Beck added.