There are growing rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers could send all-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, who has been underperforming, away by the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline. And the recent decision of Lakers head coach Frank Vogel to have Westbrook on the bench in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers undoubtedly amplified that possibility, which has sparked more speculation about whether the Lakers' top management was unhappy with Westbrook just a few months after giving up the pre-asset acquisition of regular season MVP Westbrook.
Recently, there have been rumors that the Lakers intend to send Westbrook back to the Houston Rockets in exchange for veteran John Wall, but according to the well-known NBA journalist Mark Stein, the Lakers are unwilling to meet the Rockets' asking price, and although Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is willing to exchange Wall for Westbrook, he requires the Lakers to send out the first round of the 2027 draft pick.
The Lakers sent Kyle Kuzma, Caldwell Pope, Monterrez Harrell and the 2021 first-round pick to buy Westbrook from the Wizards, and the deal also hollowed out half of their team, resulting in the Lakers not having enough assets to upgrade the roster now.
The Lakers' record this season is 24 wins and 24 losses, only eighth in the West, the playoffs are in jeopardy, and Westbrook himself has struggled quite hard this season. Westbrook has averaged 18.5 points, eight rebounds and 7.7 assists this season, shooting 44 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. What's worse is that the 33-year-old Westbrook has a $47.06 million player option next season, and he will definitely execute the player option, which will turn him directly into a negative asset.
As for Wall, he hasn't played a single game for the Rockets this season because their goal this season is to train new people, causing his position on the team to plummet. Wall's contract situation is not much better than Westbrook's, and the injured man has a $47.37 million player option next season, which he will also execute.
Wall has played quite well since switching from the Wizards to the Rockets last season, averaging 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game for the Rockets last season, shooting 40 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range. While the stats may be similar, Wall is seen as a better all-around player than the current Westbrook, and he has also recovered to 100% health. So if the Lakers aren't willing to send out the 2027 first-round picks, how will the trade fair work?
Maybe the Rockets will be interested in the Lakers' remaining young players. Taren Horton Tucker is seen as a key player for the Lakers, and while the winger has been underperforming long after signing this season, he's still only 21 years old and has some ability on the defensive end. Losing draft Austin Reeves may also be of interest to the Rockets, so Xiaobian suggested that the Lakers can adopt the following trading options:
The Lakers got: John Wall, Daniel Theth
Rockets: Russell Westbrook, Taryn Horton Tucker, Austin Reeves, two second-round picks
Either way, rumors of a deal between Westbrook and Wall swapping owners will continue to be the main storyline ahead of the Feb. 10 deal deadline, but for now, the deal doesn't seem to be happening that fast.