The Los Angeles Lakers took a chance acquiring Russell Westbrook in the offseason hoping he would be the piece to help them get over the top in their quest for another NBA Championship. Unfortunately for them, the trade hasn’t worked out well at all, resulting in a very poor season.
The Lakers are currently 27-34 and look like they are going nowhere this season. Anthony Davis is sidelined with an injury again and the team just can’t keep up with their opponents on a nightly basis.
While this isn’t solely on Westbrook, his trade is one of the more questionable ones in recent history. Rob Pelinka traded away three rotation players and a first-round draft pick for Westbrook despite how questionable of a fit he was alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That was a lot of capital to part with and they were unable to replace them.
Could the Lakers hit a reset button on this deal, they most likely would. Kyle Kuzma has blossomed with more opportunities with the Washington Wizards, while a 3-and-D guy in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be helpful for the Lakers. Montrezl Harrell has his shortcomings, but he certainly wouldn’t have been as much of a negative as DeAndre Jordan.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Could Take Bold Action To Move On From Russell Westbrook
There is nothing that can be done to change the past, but the Lakers can control the future. It sounds as if they have finally realized that a change needs to be made. According to sources, the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook have a mutual interest in finding him a new team to play for this offseason.
“In any case, there is mutual interest in finding Westbrook a new home this summer, sources said.”
“The Lakers’ trade deadline discussions with the Houston Rockets for a potential Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap didn’t generate significant traction, sources said, as the Lakers were resistant to including their 2027 first-round pick in any deal to offload Westbrook’s salary. League observers have pointed to this offseason as a greater opportunity for the Lakers to shed Westbrook’s contract when they will be eligible to move their 2029 first-round pick.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Could Take Bold Action To Move On From Russell Westbrook
“According to one team strategist that spoke to Bleacher Report, it would require two first-round picks to take on Westbrook’s contract, even this offseason, when he will be on an expiring deal. If the Lakers were unwilling to part ways with him by including one, it is hard to imagine they would include a second one.”
Alas, that is a route that the team will have to seriously consider. Things have not gone well this season and if a move isn’t made, LeBron James could be out the door next if he doesn’t agree to an extension this summer.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Could Take Bold Action To Move On From Russell Westbrook
Keeping LeBron James in town is the only hope that the Los Angeles Lakers have of winning any time soon. If they lose LeBron, their title hopes go out the door with him. Parting ways with Russell Westbrook and restocking the roster, even if it means adding long-term salary, is something the Lakers have to look long and hard into doing so that this team can get back to contending in the 2022-23 season.
