Does this trade make sense for the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Los Angeles Lakers are a worse team with Russell Westbrook than they were last season with LeBron James and Anthony Davis being injured. He just does not fit in with this team whatsoever and it really is not Westbrook’s fault.
Many are quick to point the finger at the nine-time All-Star and say that he should be playing better given what the team is paying him, which is partly true, but this front-office and coaching staff has failed Russell Westbrook because they have not put him in situations to succeed.
Being a ball-dominant point guard, Westbrook cannot play alongside LeBron James simply because LeBron needs the ball in his hands every single possession to be successful.
Neither player can play or move off-the-ball, which is where a lot of this team’s problems lie.
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Trading Westbrook is something that needs to happen and the Lakers do get a lot back in this trade, even though they have to sacrifice a 2027 first-round pick.
Evan Fournier improves their shooting depth, Derrick Rose is a perfect off-the-ball point guard to put alongside LeBron James and Alec Burks is another utility player on the wing that can do a little bit of everything for this team.
They would be tied down to some long-term contract with these guys, but this is definitely a strong scenario for the Lakers to consider involving Russell Westbrook, especially since they have virtually no other options at this point.
