While the Lakers are probably not ready to admit trading for Russ was a mistake and the odds they pull off a trade for him before the deadline slim or none, the NBA has proven over and over that no contract is untradeable.
Whether teams are looking to add star power, attract more fans, swap longer contracts for shorter ones, or create cap space via expiring contracts, the Lakers should have no shortage of potential trading partners for Russ. They may have to package Russell with promising young talent like Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Malik Monk, or Austin Reaves and their 2027 first round pick but they should have the chips for a blockbuster trade.
That’s the good news for the Lakers. The question is whether they should throw the second half of what’s already been a chaotic season into more turmoil by pulling the plug on the Westbrook experiment midseason. There’s an argument the Lakers haven’t seen enough of the James, Davis, and Westbrook superstar big three to make a decision since they have only played around 10% of the minutes the team’s played so far this season.
But here’s also an argument trading for Russ has put the Lakers in an unwinnable situation due to the chaotic style, luxury taxes, and poor spacing that always comes with him makes the roster top heavy and hard to coach. Bottom line, the Lakers are in win-now mode, which means they will look at every possible option to improve the team, even if it means trading Russell Westbrook less than six months after betting the franchise on him.
Here are ten trades of Westbrook and Horton-Tucker to free the Lakers from the never-ending, constantly grinding Russell Westbrook hamster wheel and the accompanying turnovers, blown layups, and constant chaos.
1. Trade for Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris
Morey wants star player and ability to dump Harris 3-year contract for Ben. Russ, THT, Nunn, and the Lakers 2027 first round pick could be the best offer the Sixers will get. Adding Monk or Reaves could make Morey blink.
2. Trade for Myles Turner, T.J. Warren, Caris LeVert, Jeremy Lamb
The Pacers do not want a complete rebuild and Russ could be exactly what they want to remain competitive while getting younger and raising upside. Could also be an excellent foundation for an expanded multi-team trade.
3. Trade for Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Damian Jones
Kings are another team that could thrive with Westbrook. They move three players they no longer want for Russ and a promising young star in THT to grow with Haliburton and Mitchell. Fox could replace Barnes or Hield.
4. Trade for Goran Dragic, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, Gary Trent, Jr.
Raptors are another team trying to rebuild while still remaining competitive. Russ could help them win while clearing max cap space after next season. New beginnings for several players who disappointed on current teams.
5. Trade for Danilo Gallinari, Delon Wright, John Collins
Hawks ready to move on from Gallo, Collins, and Wright so Russ can help them compete in the short term and give them cap space for free agents in the long term. Meanwhile, Russ backs up Ja Morant at point guard.
6. Trade for Derrick Favors, Mike Muscala, Kenrich Williams.
The Thunder are the one team who might take on Russell Westbrook as a salary dump. THT is the sweetener to get the Thunder to bite. Muscala and Williams would both be bargain additions who fit perfectly on the Lakers.
7. Trade for Eric Gordon, D.J. Augustin, Christian Wood, Daniel Theis
The Rockets are another team for whom THT would be the sweetener to take back Russell Westbrook’s contract’s remaining one and a half years. They clear out Gordon’s contract and get rid of Wood, who wants out.
8. Trade for Terrence Ross, Gary Harris, Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony
This is a Westbrook trade proposed by Gerald Glassford of Lakers Fast Break Podcasts. Lakers basically get rid of everybody they don’t want in return for some pretty good assets from the Magic. No sweeteners for Magic.
9. Trade with Sixers for Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier
The Hornets would love to get out of Hayward’s contract to create cap space and Russ will let them continue to win but open up cap space earlier. Nunn replaces Rozier and THT is the sweetener to get them to take on Russ.
10. Trade for Evan Fournier, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle
The Knicks are in free fall and who better to save them than Russell Westbrook. They dump Randle’s and Fournier’s contracts, get promising young star in THT. Lakers can throw in their 2027 first rounder if needed.
Russell Westbrook has broken the Lakers. He’s become such an issue with the front office, coaching staff, and teammates that it’s time to make the move now because waiting for summer would be disastrous as we would be sitting with the same tepid trading chips we are faced with right now.
The thing is there is no untradeable contract n the NBA anymore. All of these ten trades are just examples of starting points for multiple team trades. Lakers needs to do what the Wizards did with the Lakers trade last season and turn it into a four or five team trade that moves Russ by sweetening the pot with THT and Nun. For the ‘right deal,’I would even consider including Monk or Reaves but it would have to be a trade for a legitimate third superstar like Jaylen Brown.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484266377837899779
You do get that even though it works in the trade machine, there’s nothing forcing the other GM to agree, right? Sorry, but for better or worse, this albatross is staying.
There are no tradeable contracts and multiple team trades make it easy for teams to match salaries. These are ten templates for trades.
You’re saying the same thing you said when we were trying to trade for AD or sign LeBron. Just look at NBA trade history. Anything is possible.
Now you’re just making things up.
You might also look at the wins predicted for these trades. Most favor the other team or are even. I’ve never heard you in favor of a trade.
You react to Lakers trades the way fans of the opposing teams do. Why can’t you see that most trades are unbalanced and favor one team.
Russ to New York is a possibility.
Depends on what they would give us.
All of these are seed trades for multiple teams.
It’s a different era from the Pau heist. No GM wants to even remotely look like they lost a trade, and any trade with the Lakers they need to win in a big way to even consider it. So with that in mind, is there even one deal amongst these where a GM ends up with a useless Westbrook at the nadir, a THT and injured Nunn, and a draft pick or two 5+ years away? If I’m an opposing GM, there’s simply not enough meat on the bone to even get me into a discussion, much less give it any serious consideration.
Possible.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484260552436187138
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484260229407653889
Nah
Could be an underrated trade. Get off Russ for three tradeable players with lower more tradable salaries. Could help finish season but would really help this summer.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484259767149203457
Possible.
This trade could be tied into the Lakers and Cavs trade as the Lakers want Gordon and the Cavs would prefer Wall over Westbrook. Something to watch.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484259553424248832
Nah.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484259342484340736
Hail no!
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484259067384131585
Not sure.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484258793777078272
Kinda.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484258422488899585
While trading Russ is too long a shot with Indy, I do think Turner’s injury could be the event that lets the Lakers sneak in and trade for Turner with the THT, Nunn, and pick package.
Dallas has backed out and the injury is not career threatening. Sabonis is the one they’re going to keep. Lakers should focus on Turner deal. It’s the most likely to happen imo.
It can also solve the internal issues between Kurt and Rob and Frank as the team could go big or small, which is the versatility you need to win a championship.
It’s also a move for post-LeBron as Myles is only 25, 3 years younger than AD. It’s the deal that can solve the Lakers roster issues and their front office and coaching conflicts. Frank and Kurt will get their two bigs. AD will get to play the four and LeBron the three.
If we can’t get rid of Russ, this is our probably our best option.
https://twitter.com/LakerTom/status/1484258115084161026
The problem with your trades Tom is that Russ is no longer a super star. He seems to be a broken player that can’t defend and is a poor fit for most teams. Three of the last four seasons his teams have been. better with him off the court then on. If we he were performing at even a good role player level we wouldn’t even be having this discussion.
Aloha Michael,
Listen, you could be right that Russ can’t be traded and none of our assets have enough value but there are moves that can be made and the front office will have to make whatever moves they can because we are not going to sniff a championship or even respected finish unless we pull off some EOY type of move.
There’s no question that Russ and THT and Nunn are not the trading chips we hoped or thought they would be but there is still value to them and the front office still has to work hard to pull off a miracle move. I have more faith in that happening because I’ve seen it happen before with Pau and other great trades, often totally unexpected and judged to be steals when they happen.
There’s more chance of that happening than our miraculously suddenly starting to win games with the roster, coach, and front office that are out of sync and inconsistent. Just look back at the halfway points in our histort of championships. Sheep don’t suddenly become tigers, Losers don’t suddenly become winners, AD and Nunn aren’t going to save this team. A major trade, as unlikely as it may be, is our only chance. So I will keep looking for and following any options that arise, regardless of how remote or unlikely. That’s what the front office is going to do.
The biggest concern right now is how the disarray and dysfunction between Jeanie, Kurt, Rob, Frank, LeBron, and Russ may be a death knell not only for this season but for LeBron’s time as a Laker We’re in the midst of what could be a franchisd determining nexus and what we do this midseason will dramatically affect our options this summer. I truly believe it’s go big or go home for the Lakers as a franchise.
Hail yes!
Here is my thoughts Tom, we see writers trade proposals. We see articles on players that we are interested in. What we are not seeing is reports on teams that are interested in our assets. While there is probably interest in THT is the interest enough to give up a star? Until I hear differently I think no. And Nunn’s injury hasn’t helped. At this point who knows if he will even play this year.
By the way, I would love to be wrong on this.
That’s a valid point but every team knows the Lakers are desperate to they’re not going to announce any interest and we’re talking about a package here, not just one player. There are some targets we might be willing to give up Reaves or Monk. Odds are you’re right but I’m still going to push for Lakers to make big trade.
And yes, I know that, Michael. We all would rather the Lakers win than be right in any personal opinion or prediction on the blog. We just want to win and continue the domination of the rest of the league.
It’s the quality of the conversation and information we share making our4 points. It’s talking Lakers. Sure, better when we’re winning but at least we’re a contender now, maybe behind a half dozen teams but with time to catch up.
You’ve always been one the smartest and most savvy bloggers on the site, which is why I wanted you to be the Blog Editor back when we started the new site.
You weren’t ready then but I’m thrilled whether you agree with me or not.