As the season comes to an end, how the Lakers will handle Westbrook's contract has become the focus of most attention outside of the playoffs. Previously, authoritative media broke the news that the Hornets were the most likely next home in Westbrook, but sources close to the Lakers revealed that the Purple and Gold Legion did not have much interest in trading with the Hornets. It is reported that the Lakers' primary purpose is not to send away Westbrook, but to send Westbrook without harming the future interests of the team, after all, trading with the Wizards westbrook consumes a lot of chips for the Lakers. Among the Potential Offers for the Hornets, Hayward's injury history and longer big contract period have unnerved the Lakers. Predictably, if the Hornets don't add guard Rozier in the deal, the Lakers won't agree.
However, according to the information revealed by NBA salary expert Pinkers, there is another team that is becoming the next home to take over the Contract of Westbrook, and it is the Houston Rockets, the old owner of Westbrook. The Lakers and Rockets had discussed a Westbrook deal as early as the 21-22 trade deadline, when the plan was a swap between Westbrook and Wall. However, because the Rockets asked the Lakers to join the 2027 first round of signings in this deal, the Lakers did not want to raise the price code and the negotiations broke down. Although the swap between Westbrook and Wall broke, the Rockets still have other players who can be used as chips in exchange for Westbrook, even more attractive to the Lakers than Wall. According to Pincus' analysis, the Rockets' deal with the Lakers could revolve around Westbrook, Wood, Gordon and Nuwaba.
The Rockets have established a core roster of several young players this season, and the eye-catching performances of Jaylen Green, Shinkin and Christopher have given Houston a glimpse into the future. Coupled with the equally young Kevin Porter, the Rockets don't need to keep high-paying veterans like Wood and Gordon any longer. Westbrook, like Wall, is unlikely to make a debut even if it is traded to the Rockets. The two sides will negotiate a buyout at the right time next season to quickly clear the salary space for the Rockets. For the Lakers, Wood's excellent shooting ability on the offensive end can allow Davis to play the role of the fourth position more calmly, and can also allow James to have more room to break through. Eric Gordon has proven himself this season that he still has the strength to be the best sixth man, and 41.2 percent of the season's three-point shooting rate can provide the Lakers with the firepower they need most. In other words, unlike Hayward's huge variables, Wood and Gordon are likely to help the current Lakers get better.
However, the deal remains highly uncertain at the end of April. At the competitive level, wood and Gordon are not good at defense, which is not good news for the Lakers, which is itself inefficient defensively. Economically, the Lakers are likely to pay at least one first-round pick for the deal as compensation for the Rockets. But for the Lakers, who have just two first-round picks left until 2030, they are unlikely to rush out to send out a first-round pick until it is certain that the deal will bring long-term benefits to the team. Both Gordon and Wood have longer contracts than Westbrook's, and if James doesn't renew his contract this season and leaves the team next season, the Lakers will have to carry Gordon and Wood's contracts. Therefore, the success of this transaction will also depend on the changes in the situation of all parties in the coming months. Do fans and friends think the Rockets' deal with the Lakers is feasible? Welcome to discuss and communicate in the comments section!