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Lakers: 2 trades to give Russell Westbrook a new home this summer

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during player introductions before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during player introductions before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Los Angeles Lakers trade Russell Westbrook to New York Knicks

Knicks fans reading this article might already be commenting to call me an idiot. I get it. Russell Westbrook is not a hot commodity right now and no fan is going to want to see their team trade for a potentially broken asset.

That being said, there are several reasons why the Knicks would do this trade. First, the Knicks are freeing up two bad contracts in Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose that they certainly already regret for an expiring contract in Russell Westbrook.

They are taking on a lot of money for the 2022-23 season but they would be creating massive cap space for the 2023 summer, which they currently do not have. Free agents in 2023 include LeBron James (unless he signs an extension), Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Nikola Jokic and Fred VanVleet.

The Knicks also have a surplus of guards on the roster and none of the guards they are sending to LA have been that good for them. While nobody is winning a title with Russell Westbrook, the Knicks are not winning a title with this roster next season, either, and they don’t have many outs this offseason. Westbrook at least raises the floor and sells tickets.

Finally, they are essentially getting two first-round picks for freeing up long-term money just to pay Westbrook for one season to fill seats. If the Knicks are honest with themselves and are looking at the long-term outlook of the team, making a trade like this might be the best thing to do.

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