How Hard Will It Be for the Lakers to Trade Russell Westbrook?

Now that Darvin Ham is in the fold, attention returns to Russell Westbrook, and the efforts the Lakers will surely make to try and trade him this offseason. It's what he wants, it's what the Lakers want. But that doesn't mean it'll happen. Many fans, however, have become fully invested emotionally at the idea of trading him at any costs, or at the least, cutting him before training camp begins if that's not an option. But just how realistic is it? Will the Lakers be able to find a trade that isn't cost prohibitive? Just how big will the market be for Westbrook? On the one hand, it's a $47 million expiring contract. On the other, it's easy to wonder how many teams would want him, for all the same reasons Lakers fans want him gone. Where, exactly, would he fit? So matching the goal (no more Russ) with the difficult balancing act the Lakers have to manage this offseason (trying to get better with VERY few options at their disposal) will be a tricky one. What about rumored deals with New York, Charlotte, Houston or Indiana, most of them for real, if flawed, rotation players? Do they make sense? Would they be good deals for the Lakers, even if they cost additional picks? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Setting the stage. Ham is in, and now attention turns back to Westbrook, and managing expectations. SEGMENT 2: What are the challenges inherent in trading Russ? How robust will the market actually be? SEGMENT 3: Evaluating the rumored deals. Let's say they're possible... are they good? (And just how likely is it that they're real, anyway?) Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices