Russell Westbrook’s first season with the Los Angeles Lakers was such a disaster that it’s hard to see the point guard coming back to L.A. for a second year. As much as the Lakers might want to trade Westbrook, finding a team willing to take back his $47 million salary for the 2022-23 season won’t be so easy.

Where might the Lakers be able to send Westbrook in the upcoming offseason? The Charlotte Hornets are viewed as a team to watch, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The Hornets could pursue Westbrook if it would allow them to unload Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, according to Stein. Westbrook has just one year left on his contract and would come off Charlotte’s books in 2023. Hayward is owed $61.5 million over the next two seasons. Rozier is set to make close to $75 million through the 2024-25 season.

In two seasons with Charlotte, Hayward has missed close to 40% of the team’s games with injuries. The veteran is averaging 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season.

Rozier has played well in three seasons with the Hornets, averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting 38.8% from 3-point range. He may be viewed as expendable with LaMelo Ball’s emergence.

The Lakers have not ruled out using the stretch provision on Westbrook, Stein reports. Doing so would allow Los Angeles to cut Westbrook and stretch his $47 million over multiple seasons, giving them more room under the salary cap in the near term to make roster moves.

Los Angeles was eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday, failing to finish better than 11th in the Western Conference standings.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the Lakers missing the playoffs after starting the season as the favorites to represent the West in the 2022 NBA Finals. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have only played 96 combined games. Los Angeles has the league’s oldest roster, filled with players who don’t offer much on defense.

Westbrook has played 78 of the Lakers’ first 79 games. The nine-time All-Star leads the NBA in turnovers.

Westbrook is averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 29.8% from 3-point range.

Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry during a 2021-22 regular NBA season game. Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian
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