The Los Angeles Lakers remain mired in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference despite the best efforts from LeBron James. James remains a force to be reckoned with on the court, but the team is still only 23-24 on the 2021-22 NBA season.
With each passing day, the NBA trade deadline gets closer and closer and Los Angeles seems more and more desperate to make a deal. Swinging something for an impact player such as Jerami Grant or Myles Turner seems unlikely as the Lakers just don’t have the assets to build a competitive package.
Both of those players being injured could aid the Lakers, as teams will lower their offers. However, a package of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and a 2027 first-round pick still may not be enough.
A big reason the Lakers are in the position that they are in is the acquisition of Russell Westbrook. To acquire him from the Washington Wizards, the Lakers had to surrender a lot of depth that they could certainly use some of right now.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Bench Russell Westbrook; Time For Major Change?
Los Angeles has a mismatched roster lacking quality 3-and-D players. Two of them in Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were sent to the Wizards as part of the package for Westbrook.
Moving on from Russell Westbrook is certainly one thing that could help shake up the Lakers’ fortunes. However, there aren’t many teams lining up to make a deal for him. Alas, there is one team that could be willing to take him on; the Houston Rockets.
Houston is in the early stages of a rebuild and has a veteran of their own they are looking to move in John Wall. The two could be traded straight up for each other, but that isn’t something that interests Houston.
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If the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are to come together on a deal, Houston has its eyes set on one specific asset, according to The Athletic.
The Houston Rockets are only interested in finding a solution for John Wall’s situation. Westbrook would likely never suit up for Houston in that instance. For a deal to get done, Houston would have to be enticed by an aggressive Lakers approach — one involving either a third team or suitable additional assets — to make it work. Houston would require the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder in such a deal, sources tell The Athletic, but it’s unclear how willing the Lakers are to put that on the table.
Finding a third team to get involved could help get Los Angeles back on track. Breaking Westbrook’s contract up into multiple players would help fill out the Lakers’ rotation, as they could use help at multiple spots.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Bench Russell Westbrook; Time For Major Change?
Figuring out who that third team could be is not easy. Anyone taking on John Wall’s contract would seek draft compensation as well. That is something that Houston has not wanted to do, but if they can get the future first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers, would they be willing to at least part with multiple second-round picks to facilitate a deal?
Los Angeles is certainly in win-now mode. If they can reshape the roster around James and Anthony Davis with players that better fit, they will seriously consider it. While their outlook and assets in the future are bleak, that is the price of going all-in to win now. If the opportunity presents itself for them to improve their chances, they will certainly think long and hard about doing it.
