The Lakers still only have a 9th-place record in the West, and if they can't find a way to win in the next game, it also means that they are about to waste another LeBron James title window season. The biggest reason for the difficulties so far this season is trading russell Westbrook in the offseason.
With the trade deadline approaching, if the Lakers are willing to sacrifice future first-round draft picks, the Rockets have made it clear that they will be willing to absorb The Westbrook's contract, and even the Rockets can be said to be able to help the Lakers in many ways.
"Clutch" reporter Salman Ali proposed that the Rockets can help the Lakers through three transactions:
Scenario 1:
The Lakers got: John Wall, David Nowaba
Rockets get: Russell Westbrook, 2027 first-round pick (protected with top 4 picks)
Scenario two:
The Lakers get: Eric Gordon
Rockets: Taran Horton Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, 2027 Lakers first-round picks (protected with the first 4 picks)
Scenario three:
The Lakers got: Eric Gordon, Daniel Theth, David Nuwaba, DJ Augustine
The Rockets got: Russell Westbrook, the 2026 Lakers first-round draft pick swap, the 2027 Lakers first-round draft pick
In the above three deals, to be honest, it does not make much sense for the Lakers to return John Wall without sending Westbrook and sacrificing future first-round draft picks, because Wall is a point guard player with a big contract, no threat of stability outside and a lot of ball power, and Westbrook has proved that the Lakers are a losing choice for James and Davis to bring back such players.
In contrast, if the Lakers can send away Westbrook and future first-round draft picks in exchange for players such as Gordon, Theis, Nouaba and Augustine, this should be the most ideal deal that the Lakers can promote with the Rockets, of course, whether the Rockets are willing to sacrifice these players and absorb Westbrook's contract is certainly unknown.