Getty Image / Sean M. Haffey
- The Los Angeles Lakers seem likely to trade Russell Westbrook this offseason
- One NBA correspondent believes they could find a surprising trade partner
- Read more BroBible articles here
The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention 2 nights ago and with that disappointing end to their season, many fans are already looking towards the team’s future.
The biggest question among fans, and likely within the Lakers organization, is what the team is supposed to do with Russell Westbrook this offseason. It’s going to be a difficult issue for them to address.
He was a major disappointment this season and never seemed to entirely mesh with the squad. His contract is also extremely expensive. That doesn’t make for a very easily movable trade piece.
However, NBA correspondent Marc Stein discussed Westbrook trade possibilities in an article today and surprisingly named the Charlotte Hornets as a team to watch.
Trading Russell Westbrook … options already on the Lakers’ board, what rival teams project, proceeding straight to waive-and-stretch … ALL covered in today’s piece: https://t.co/88ux2xg2cC
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 7, 2022
There are a few reasons why this idea comes as a surprise. First of all, the Hornets have already occupied both of the guard spots in their starting lineup with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier.
Second, the Hornets are already projected to be over the cap for next season and Westbrook’s cap hit is massive. The Hornets would probably need the Lakers to take Gordon Hayward in return in this deal and would still be over the cap.
Finally, and probably most importantly, the Charlotte Hornets don’t benefit in any way from taking on Westbrook. The ideal candidate for a Westbrook trade is a team looking to get rid of a bad contract of their own and add draft picks. The Hornets are a playoff team right now. They should only be looking for players that make them better and that’s not Westbrook.
I’m sure the Lakers will find somebody they can trade Russell Westbrook to this offseason, but the Charlotte Hornets shouldn’t be that team.