The realistic Russell Westbrook trade that the Lakers should make

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook #0 look on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 29, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook #0 look on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 29, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Every Laker fan knows that the team would be better off trading Russell Westbrook this season and the Los Angeles Lakers apparently know that as well. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers had internal discussions about trading Westbrook earlier this season and have “covert interest” in making it happen.

This had led to most Laker fans and mots basketball fans to theorize what kind of trade Westbrook could be traded in. A swap for John Wall makes sense money-wise, but as we already touched on here at Lake Show Life, does not make sense for the Lakers.

Then you have the optimistic fans that are talking about Westbrook being traded for someone like Ben Simmons, who has not played yet this season. While Simmons’ trade value is at an all-time low, the Sixers are better off without Simmons and Westbrook than they are with Westbrook. That won’t happen in a million years.

There is one realistic Russell Westbrook trade that the Los Angeles Lakers should be interested in.

While extremely unlikely, there is one potential trade that the Lakers could pull off that would not only make sense for the team but makes sense for the other team as well. That is the most important part of these conversations: finding another team that would actually be willing to take on Westbrook in a deal.

That team is the Orlando Magic and the trade could look like the following:

This trade might not seem to make a lot of sense and your immediate reaction as a fan might be disgust. However, let’s break down why the Los Angeles Lakers should say yes to this trade and why the Orlando Magic should say yes to this trade.