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Lakers: Fact or fiction on 6 potential Russell Westbrook trade packages

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he was fouled by Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rumors Russell Westbrook
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook /

1. A salary dump with the Oklahoma City Thunder

The first trade that is proposed is a salary dump that sends Russell Westbrook back to the team that drafted him, the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is perhaps the only team that Westbrook could be traded to that would actually welcome him with open arms next season.

Oklahoma City has done these kinds of deals in the past and has picked up assets with this approach. The Thunder took on Chris Paul when people thought he had a horrible contract and flipped him for assets. They did the same with Al Horford, who was practically unmovable before coming to OKC.

This trade is a bit different, though. The Thunder were able to elevate the play of both of those players in OKC and then flip them for more assets. Westbrook’s contract is still going to be near-impossible to move and it is an expiring, so there are no future assets out of it.

With that in mind, the Lakers are going to have to trade serious draft capital to move Westbrook. The purple and gold would be taking on Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala, creating a huge trade exception and giving the Thunder (a small-market team) a lot more money on the books next season.

If the Thunder had a big contract to send back it would be one thing. They don’t. For that reason, the Lakers would likely have to trade two first-round picks to get Westbrook in OKC, which might not be something the team is willing to do. We can have wishful thinking all we want and hope it is just one first-round pick, but the price would be two.

Verdict: Fiction

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