Russell Westbrook Trade Rumors: Realistic Destinations

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) waits to take the floor prior to the game the game against the Golden State Warriors in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) fights for position agains Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in Hawthorne, and attended high school at Leuzinger in Lawndale. From there, he continued down the California trail by playing for the UCLA Bruins in college.

Due to those very obvious ties, it comes as no surprise whatsoever that the Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA team that Westbrook is most commonly associated with.

The Lakers are entering the first season of the post-Kobe Bryant era. The roster already has more appeal than it’s had in any of the past three seasons, but Mitch Kupchak may be willing to split some of that up if it means he can land Westbrook.

It’s possible that the Lakers would be able to sign Westbrook in 2016-17, but Jim Buss’ publicly stated sense of urgency makes this a legitimate possibility.

Los Angeles has four easily tradable assets in Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and D’Angelo Russell. Russell would be the obvious inclusion since he plays Westbrook’s position, and from there, the Lakers would need to decide which of the other three would be included.

It’d be tough to split up a core that has limitless potential, but landing a superstar in their prime is a very rare opportunity that Los Angeles has cashed in on countless times before.

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