Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Derrick Rose, G/F Evan Fournier, C Mason Plumlee

Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Russell Westbrook

New York Knicks Receive: G Gordon Hayward

If financial flexibility is the end goal for the Charlotte Hornets, they might be one of the few teams in the league with an incentive to trade for Russell Westbrook.

His contract is enormous. It’s also expiring after next season. That’s important for the Hornets. They’re about to get expensive. We can assume they’ll retain Miles Bridges in restricted free agency, and LaMelo Ball’s rookie extension is right around the corner.

Meanwhile, the Lakers receive three quality rotation players in exchange for a player they’ve clearly got no use for. If Anthony Davis can get healthy for 2022-23, this trade makes them a deeper, more well-rounded squad.

Gordon Hayward once looked like a blossoming superstar. A gruesome leg injury later, it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll top out as a quality starter.

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For this New York Knicks team, that will have to do.