3 LA Clippers most likely to be traded away this summer
2. Guard - Russell Westbrook
Once the sport's most exciting athlete, Russell Westbrook, is entering the awkward twilight stage of his career. His view of himself is wildly distorted compared to that of his peers. In Westbrook's head, he is still the MVP-caliber guard who constantly needs the ball in his hands to lift up those around him. At 35, he's a defensive liability who struggles to adapt to the perimeter-based game and whose explosiveness no longer overcompensates for his glaring flaws.
The entire package is no longer worth the headache anymore. For a time, Westbrook was a legitimate spark plug for the second unit, partly because he was the only guy who could consistently facilitate on offense besides Harden. His energy can be infectious, but it is also his biggest detriment when it goes sideways. The minute his efficiency starts to dip, he completely deteriorates and becomes unplayable.
Westbrook has a $4.5M player option this offseason, so there's no guarantee he will even be on the squad next season. He makes the list as an intriguing sign-and-trade candidate if another team decides to take a flyer on his abilities.
3. Guard - Bones Hyland
A few seasons ago, it appeared Bones Hyland was on his way to becoming the game's next young, dynamite scoring guard. The lanky 6'2 VCU product immediately carved out a role on the Denver Nuggets bench. His crafty handle, mixed with a street stroke and quick first step, looked reminiscent of a young Jamal Crawford.
Hyland let early NBA success get to his head. He is the only teammate who has butted heads with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is widely regarded as one of the easiest superstars to play with. It's easy to understand someone wishing for a more expanded role, but part of basketball is understanding your place in the league hierarchy and maximizing the opportunities given.
After forcing his way out of an ideal situation, the Clips decided to take a chance on his upside. In 51 games since his arrival in Tinseltown, Hyland is shooting under 40% from the field and has struggled to find consistent minutes in the rotation. He's in the final year of his rookie deal, which makes him easy to move off from in search of proven veteran help.