Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential trade packages for Russell Westbrook

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

2. Trading Russell Westbrook for a former Laker

The second trade package is a much simpler one and only involves two teams. Those two teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently, the Timberwolves are 7th in the West and very well could make their first playoff run in the Karl Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell era.

Despite this, the Timberwolves are at a very interesting crossroads for their franchise. Anthony Edwards is shaping up to be a big star in the league very soon, and with Russell on the team, it is taking away a lot of potential shots for him.

If Westbrook is traded to the team, he would be much more likely to play the role of facilitator than D-Lo would. Along with this, letting Westbrook play a bigger role than he can on the Lakers would be something that is very beneficial for him.

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As a result of this, for the second trade package, the Lakers are sending Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick to the Timberwolves. In return, the Timberwolves would send D’Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverley to the Lakers.

Despite Beverley being a player that Lakers fans have grown to hate due to his time on the Clippers, he is a player that could help the Lakers out a lot during the playoffs.

He has learned to be effective on offense without having to shoot the ball. This is something that is perfect on a roster that features players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, along with all of the snipers that the Lakers have. Beverley would make a huge impact on the defensive end as well.

Regardless of how someone personally feels about how good of a defender Beverley is, the stats back up that he is a solid defender or at the very least, a player that could throw someone off of their game or cause an opponent to pick up a technical. Beverley is someone who is often described as a player you hate unless he is on your team and it could be time for Lakers’ fans to know what it is like to have Pat Bev on their side.