3. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers

There likely isn’t a team in the NBA that needs to make a trade as badly as the Los Angeles Lakers. They are wasting another great season by LeBron James, who has been doing his best to carry the team with Anthony Davis sidelined because of a foot injury. Before he went down, Davis was having an MVP-caliber season himself.

The Lakers will be hard-pressed to build a contending roster this season, but they at least have to try. If not, they need to add some assets that they can use to restock the cupboard heading into the future. Trading Russell Westbrook is one way to potentially accomplish either option.

Westbrook has played well since moving to the second unit. He has looked more comfortable as the ball is in his hands more as the lead ball handler for the second unit. Showcasing that he is willing to change his role should extend his career as well.

Teams looking for an established option for their second unit could show interest in Westbrook as an upgrade for their roster, not a salary dump that has been proposed previously.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

If the Los Angeles Lakers want to upgrade the roster, Russell Westbrook’s contract and their two future first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 could be a solid package to shop around.