These aren't the most likely things in the world, but they're all a lot of fun. Trade specifics are frameworks (though they all go through numbers and rules-wise). So don't get hung up on little details, or how much you think a guy is *well, actually* worth.
Rockets receive: Thaddeus Young, Zach LaVine, 2021 first round pick lottery-protected (turns to a second)
Bulls receive: Russell Westbrook
This one feels like a lot, but it's doubtful that LaVine is in the Bulls plans. He's a volume scorer that will never be good at defense, and clogs their longterm development. Coby White and Wendell Carter are core pieces, and the #4 pick will be as well. With Thad Young gone and Westbrook raising the floor way more than LaVine would, Chicago can try its best to see what it has with Lauri Markkanen and play much more meaningful basketball. They suddenly have a blindingly bright future and present if Markkanen and pick #4 hit. Worth noting that the Rockets will probably want Tomas Satoransky. If this becomes a three-team trade, Otto Porter's $28M expiring becomes a big factor as well.
Rockets receive: Nicolas Batum's large expiring, Terry Rozier, pick 36
Hornets receive: Russell Westbrook
The Hornets/Bobcats have been devoid of star power since they entered the league in 2004. They had a surprising amount of fight last season and are trending upwards. A starting five of Russell Westbrook, Devonte' Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and the #3 pick (James Wiseman, Onyeka Okongwu, or someone else) would be competitive for the East's 8 spot. Versatile, well-spaced, great passing, adequate defense, gritty, and a lot of fun. They would also be setup really well to acquire a second star in 2021, a la the Nets, Heat, and Clippers last offseason.
Rockets receive: Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, Edmond Sumner
Pacers receive: Russell Westbrook
Oladipo + Harden fits better than Russ + Harden and Oladipo + Brogdon. Jeremy Lamb would basically be the new young Eric Gordon, and Edmond Sumner or a minimum free agent can do what Austin Rivers was doing. Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon would be ambitious, but it is also gutsy and high ceiling for an Indiana team that is sick of the middle. The Pacers still have to make a Myles Turner (or maybe Sabonis) trade this offseason, so they could really upgrade their team and cohesiveness. They could fit Westbrook as well as any team in the NBA because of their malleability. Westbrook, Brogdon, TJ Warren, Sabonis, and whatever you get for Myles Turner can be a force in the Eastern Conference right away.
The Rockets would do anything to get Myles Turner in the building alongside James Harden, so this could certainly evolve into a three-team deal.
*Adding Eric Gordon to Indy while adding Doug McDermott + TJ Leaf also works).
*The Rockets get slightly more contract flexibility and depth by getting rid of Eric Gordon, and the two additional players still maximize shooting while adding a tiny bit of size.
Rockets receive: Blake Griffin
Pistons receive: Russell Westbrook
The Rockets take a shot on a superstar ceiling, and the Pistons decide to win and have fun during the rebuild. It's unlikely, because they should tank for the 2021 draft and because Westbrook has one more year on his deal than Griffin. But the Pistons were interested in trading for Russ from OKC last year, and maybe they could get a middling prospect for Derrick Rose. They have all their future first round picks. A core of Westbrook, Luke Kennard, Sekou Doumbouya, and the 7th overall pick isn't great, but it is infinitely more fun than tanking for a fanbase and franchise that can't take much more of this. The Pistons were dead last in attendance last season by a wide margin.
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