Lakers have new target for potential Russell Westbrook trade

While the Russell Westbrook trade discourse has certainly slowed down in recent weeks, it has been the biggest storyline surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers dating back to the end of the 2021-22 season.

Most of the trade packages for Westbrook have been the same. The most prominent potential deal is one for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, which Thomas Bryant may actually manifest as reality with his return to the team.

There was some New York Knicks buzz there for a minute involving the Utah Jazz as well as a period where it seemed inevitable that Kyrie Irving would join LA. At the end of the day, most of the trade options have been talked about at an extensive length.

While it is not a big name and he plays for a team that was already potentially in the market for Westbrook, there is a new potential target for the Lakers in a Westbrook trade. That new potential target is none other than Charlotte’s own, P.J. Washington, who is not off the table for a trade (h/t Sean Deveney on the Celtics Lab podcast).

How P.J. Washington could be included in a Lakers Russell Westbrook trade:

The Charlotte Hornets have long been a potential candidate for Russell Westbrook as it makes a ton of sense for them to make a deal. Charlotte is not going anywhere any time soon and they could get off some future money by trading for Westbrook’s expiring deal.

Not only can the team get off future money, but it would also be able to get at least one valuable first-round pick from the Lakers in return as well as a better chance of tanking for Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson this season. Charlotte is already going that direction with a 4-12 record, so might as well fully commit.

Washington is a nice player but they are going to have to pay him after this season and he might not be part of the team’s long-term plans. If Washington was included in the deal, here is what it would likely look like:

The Lakers are going to have to take one of Terry Rozier or Gordon Hayward and the team would probably prefer Rozier. While Hayward is off the books sooner (two years versus four years), Rozier’s cap hit is actually manageable at $21.4 million.

Rozier’s cap hit does increase yearly but never gets over $26.4 million. While that seems like a lot, a new TV deal with the NBA is right around the corner and we are going to see salary caps spike as a result. At the end of Rozier’s deal, $26.4 million would likely be a bargain.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is on an expiring contract and Washington would give the Lakers a young wing for this season that they can then decide what to do with in the offseason. He is a restricted free agent so there is sign-and-trade potential.

Rozier is probably better than any free agent LA is going to be able to sign next offseason anyway and if the cost is only one first-round pick then the Lakers are more likely to jump on it. Charlotte definitely should be willing to do this trade for just one pick, as it accomplishes three separate goals at the same time.

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Normally, Charlotte would have to give up a player like Washington for free along with Rozier for the cost of getting an expiring contract and salary relief. This is a home run deal for them and one they definitely would be foolish to say no to.