Allow me to sum up the latest Russell Westbrook trade speculation: If the Lakers deal Westbrook this summer, they want quality veteran players who can help them win now in return.
Good luck with that.
Westbrook trade speculation will be background noise to the playoffs, whether the league wants it to or not. Welcome to the modern NBA. One of the early rumors came from Marc Stein, who suggested the Charlotte Hornets as a possible trade partner sending Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier back to Los Angeles (the Hornets get off some long term salary, making it easier to pay Miles Bridges then LaMelo Ball in the coming years).