Does this trade make sense for the Lakers?

The Lakers must find ways to move Russell Westbrook and Talen Horton-Tucker in the offseason because that is the only way for them to free up cap space. 

By acquiring Westbrook ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Lakers took a massive risk financially and it has not paid off, which is why they are doomed for failure until they have money to add talent to their roster in the offseason. 

This trade with Oklahoma City not only gives the Lakers some depth with Mike Muscala and Kenrich Williams, but it would also free up almost $5 million in cap space and they would upgrade a 2025 second-round pick into a 2022 second-round pick. 

Having virtually no trade options in the offseason, this would be a dream scenario for the Lakers because there is nothing about this trade that does not make sense. 

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It is hard to imagine that the Thunder would be interested in this deal given the draft picks involved, but maybe they would show a level of interest in Talen Horton-Tucker. 

The Los Angeles Lakers need to make a move to unload Talen Horton-Tucker in the offseason and this trade does just that for them.