The Los Angeles Lakers have made one trade thus far this season and parted ways with Kendrick Nunn, who was always viewed as the most likely player to be traded this season. Even as the season unfolded and dynamics changed, it was clear that the team did not need Nunn on the roster.
As the year continues to unfold there are new dynamics that led to certain players becoming more expendable. Whether that be because of their production on the court or the emergence of someone else who plays their position, every team has expendable players they can dangle on the trade market.
The Lakers’ options might not have the most value but they do still have options to attach with draft capital in order to make another trade on top of the Rui Hachimura deal.
The most likely Lakers players to be traded at the deadline:
3. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has to make this list because things have not been going great for the former MVP as of late and it is becoming more and more clear that this team might simply be better when he is not playing.
However, he cannot rank any higher than third because the front office does not seem like it wants to trade the necessary draft capital with Westbrook in order to move on from him.
That being said, we still cannot completely rule out a Westbrook trade. With Anthony Davis back on the court and Rui Hachimura in the fold, the team could go on a run during this road trip that convinces the front office that it is worth making a Westbrook trade.
After all, despite being the 13th seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers are still only three games back of the fourth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans. They are not out of this race yet.