'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward recently liked a tweet suggesting the LA Lakers should trade Russell Westbrook for him and a couple of other pieces. Westbrook is once again struggling with the Lakers this season.
NBA rumors suggest the Lakers could wait to trade Westbrook before many teams become sellers in the trade market. That is likely considering that Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson's sweepstakes are heating up.
A potential trade with the Indiana Pacers that sees Buddy Hield and Myles Turner end up with the LA Lakers is widely considered the best deal. However, a fan suggestion has another potential package with the Hornets, including Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr., as the better deal.
Interestingly, Hayward liked the tweet and has many believing that he agrees to this potential trade. The former All-Star seems to have taken note of the attention his activity received on Twitter and has disliked the post in question.
Playing in LA has always been an enticing prospect for many players, and Hayward doesn't seem like an exception. He would also get a better opportunity to contend for a championship with the Lakers because of LeBron James' presence on the roster.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets haven't made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons. It's understandable why Gordon Hayward, 32, could wish to play elsewhere at this stage of his career.
Lakers could benefit from potential trade Hornets centered around Russell Westbrook and Gordon Hayward
The LA Lakers desperately need more shooting and frontcourt depth to improve their roster. Coach Darvin Ham has had to deploy three-guard lineups in his first two games due to a lack of frontcourt depth. The Lakers have struggled on the boards with the lack of size in their frontcourt rotation.
The potential Pacers trade bolsters their shooting with the additions of Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. The latter adds size and rim protection, but his injury history makes him an unreliable bet, leaving the Lakers exposed with their lack of frontcourt depth.
A potential deal to acquire Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. addresses the LA Lakers' frontcourt, shooting and wing depth. All three players have a 6'7" frame. Hayward and Washington are career 37% shooters on average from deep. Meanwhile, Oubre is among the best 3-and-D wings in the league.
Their contracts combined to match Russell Westbrook's $47 million salary this year. A deal could be worked out between the LA Lakers and Charlotte Hornets without involving a third team. The Lakers will likely have to include their two first-round picks, though.
The Hornets may be willing to include Hayward with two years left on his current deal. Moving him will give them flexibility, so sign LaMelo Ball to a max rookie-scale extension in the upcoming offseason.
However, it remains to be seen if they will include pieces like Oubre and Washington in a potential deal. They are two solid two-way players, still young in their NBA careers, who could be crucial to their roster over the next few years.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
