Why The Los Angeles Lakers Make The Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers do this trade because nothing else is available for Russell Westbrook. Please refer back to the last section if that’s not justification enough for you.

There are better offers in the rumor mill. Some combination of Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and/or John Wall from the Rockets would probably be preferable. Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier from the Hornets certainly would be.

Either of those teams could pull out. The Rockets may not want to land in a similar situation as Westbrook as they’re currently in with John Wall. He feels less likely to be willing to sit.

Meanwhile, the Hornets may not value an expiring contract and a first-round pick enough to part with two high-end starters.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New Update Provides Insight Into Russell Westbrook’s Future With Lakers

In that event, the Lakers could still use the players they’re receiving here. Doug McDermott is one of the most reliable floor-spacers in the NBA. Josh Richardson is a solid 3-and-D wing. Romeo Langford hasn’t achieved much in his NBA career, but at 22, he’s still got potential.

If he could break out on the Lakers, this could look like a galaxy-brain move in retrospect.