Should the Los Angeles Lakers trade one of their stars, Russell Westbrook has been discussed as the one most likely to be dealt. The Athletic’s Bill Oram, though, expressed doubt at the feasibility.

“The only way for the Lakers to stop digging their hole deeper is to find their way into a position of strength. And the only way they can do that is to convince the rest of league that they are not as desperate to trade Westbrook as everyone believes. That they are content to bring him back for another season and give their big three another chance,” Oram wrote.

Oram is right. The Lakers lack any sort of leverage when it comes to a Russell Westbrook trade at the moment. Many in NBA circles view the star as past his prime, with a disproportionately large contract.

Westbrook, though, has been traded three times over the course of his large deal. The star moved from Oklahoma City to Houston, then to Washington, and finally to LA in consecutive offseasons.

At 24, De'Andre Hunter is still young enough to fit the Rockets’ timeline. At the same time, he’d be something of an elder statesman among their core group. That’s fine. Having a player with a little NBA experience should be a benefit to the Rockets’ youth movement.