1. John Wall
This is the obvious trade that was speculated during the NBA trade deadline. John Wall is stuck on a Rockets team unwilling to play him, focused on building a future. It is a move we have seen already so why not go for the sequel?
What type of player Wall is at this point in his career is anyone’s guess. Considering his injury history and lack of playing time Wall would come to the Lakers as a wildcard, however, he wouldn’t have the expectations or coverage Westbrook demands.
The last time Wall was healthy he was a good, not great point guard who teams had to respect from the outside. In a limited role, Wall can help the Lakers and would help the team move on from a player that pushed the franchise in the wrong direction. He has a player option on the final year of his deal, an option he will almost assuredly use considering he wouldn’t demand anything close to the salary on his contract if he became a free agent.
For the Lakers, this is a final desperation move, one that gives the team a boost off the bench in Wall and gets Westbrook out of L.A. There is always the off chance Wall is able to stay healthy and re-find his form alongside LeBron James as well. Certainly a longshot but at this point what other options will the Lakers have?