Most analysts doubted Russell Westbrook's fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis at this point in his career, and it didn't take long before they were proven right.
The Los Angeles Lakers struggled even when they were all healthy, and Westbrook got on the wrong side of the fans, his coach, and even the staff. Now, he doesn't want to be there, yet there hasn't been much traction about a potential trade.
That's where the Orlando Magic could swoop in. While they don't need Westbrook by any means, they could use his mammoth deal to get rid of some of their trade chips, all while landing a couple of picks in the process.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes proposes a trade that sends Westbrook to the Magic with the Lakers' 2027 first-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick. In return, the Lakers would get Terrence Ross, Gary Harris, and Markelle Fultz.
The Magic are all set in the backcourt with Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs. Also, Paolo Banchero's playmaking makes a non-shooter like Fultz even more expendable.
Gary Harris is a solid defender and Terrence Ross can be a streaky scorer, yet neither of them could fetch a valuable pick on their own. But packaged together in a massive salary-dumping deal? That's a different story.
The Lakers would have to give up a valuable first-round pick, but they'd finally get rid of Westbrook, avoiding potentially awkward situations in the locker room and getting his $47 million deal off the way.
They'd land an intriguing player in Fultz, a former first-round pick, alongside a solid defender, and a good shooter. Also, they'd add some much-needed depth to a thin rotation, all thanks to one simple move.
Should this trade go down, the Magic could buy Westbrook out and allow him to sign a short-term deal with a contending team willing to take a risk on him. Also, that Lakers pick could turn out to be quite good if LeBron James doesn't stay and Anthony Davis leaves in 2025.
As for the Lakers, they'd land three players that are a better fit for their roster's needs and would be better suited for another championship run to try and convince LeBron to extend his contract for at least an extra two years.
