The Los Angeles Lakers have tried to make it work but barring a very strong end to the 2021-22 NBA season, it’s clear the Russell Westbrook experience has not been a positive one.
To begin the season, the Lakers were starting two bigs with Anthony Davis filling the four spot. It was a challenge for Westbrook to have the necessary room to operate. However, he even still struggled at times when LeBron James was playing the center spot while Davis was sidelined.
Westbrook grew accustomed to being an ultra-high usage threat during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and did not have to become a more well-rounded off-ball threat. He also did not have to be meticulous about how he’s maximizing every single possession since he’d have many more to use.
When playing alongside another superstar, there is much greater weight placed on doing the little things to co-exist to maximize the chances of winning games. Between lapses in off-ball defense and a lack for reliable layers of scoring within the half-court to turn to, he hasn’t been a clean fit.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: What Is Lakers’ Outlook To Move Westbrook In Offseason?
Los Angeles will get a chance to see how Westbrook can perform in the playoffs, and barring a stark change in execution, the Lakers appear best served to find a trade partner willing to take on Westbrook’s contract when the offseason comes around.
Could the Oklahoma City Thunder be a potential trade partner for the Los Angeles Lakers to engage? Let’s take a look at how a deal may look like.
