With one day to go before the 2022 NBA Draft and nine days to go before teams are allowed to start talking to free agents, there is no shortage of rumors swirling around the league.
As is often the case, a good chunk of those rumors have to do with the Los Angeles Lakers, especially since they’re apparently still looking to unload Russell Westbrook.
In recent days, the rumors have been coming in fast and furious fashion.
Westbrook could be traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving.
Westbrook could head to the nation’s capital for Bradley Beal.
Westbrook may be packing his bags for Cleveland in return for Collin Sexton.
Another rumor has the nine-time All-Star going to the Charlotte Hornets for a package of players.
This last rumor has actually been circulating for a little while.
Plenty of Lakers fans are dreaming of a reunion between Irving and LeBron James, or perhaps having a young and improving star guard such as Sexton in the Purple and Gold.
But such a trade will be hard to pull off for several reasons.
On the other hand, a Westbrook-to-Charlotte trade may be the most realistic option for L.A. right now, not to mention the most economical one.