3. The Los Angeles Lakers might be forced to if they are hard-capped
This is a big if but there is a world in which the Los Angeles Lakers can pull off a sign-and-trade for an all-star-caliber player and get rid of Russell Westbrook in this process. This would obviously fit the billing for the Lakers trading THT in a deal for an all-star.
The only way this happens is if Zach LaVine, who has been very favorable to the Lakers and is a Klutch Sports client, forces his way to the Lakers as an unrestricted free agent. The three-team trade we theorized would include the Lakers getting LaVine, the Knicks getting Westbrook and draft picks (and cap space), and the Bulls getting Julius Randle and Evan Fournier. THT could go to either Chicago or New York, it does not matter.
THT could also go to another team as the Lakers could essentially give him away for free to a team with cap space for a second-round pick. Why would the team do this? If they acquired LaVine in a sign and trade then they would be hard-capped at the tax apron of $149 million.
The Lakers would essentially have to get THT off the books and then bring in a group of minimum players (not even being able to use their Taxpayer MLE) to fill out the rest of the roster. If LaVine is going to be a Laker, THT has to leave.
Once again, this is a big if but is certainly is possible if LaVine wants to be a Laker and plays his cards right. And while reports indicate that the Lakers won’t trade draft capital to move Westbrook, they would certainly change their mind if that included getting LaVine in return.