Russell Westbrook Expected To Remain Without Trade Market
The Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook have not lived to the lofty expectations that were established by pairing him with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Many viewed them as a serious threat to win the NBA championship, but instead, they may not make the playoffs.
It remains to be seen what the solution for the Lakers and Westbrook ends up being. The options remain limited, given he is set to earn $47 million in the final year of his deal in 2022-23.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the “appetite” around the NBA hasn’t changed to where there appears to be a potential offseason suitor for him.
“I haven’t heard of any team that has changed its appetite for taking Russell Westbrook in via trade.”
To Westbrook’s credit, his play has improved since the All-Star break, and there are plenty of issues the Lakers face that go beyond him. Whether his contract and the trade to acquire him has a lot to do with that is a different conversation.
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The Lakers were always going to be in a disadvantaged position after the Westbrook trade when it came to fielding a supporting cast. With limited assets, perhaps they will need to try to make it work for one more year with him being on an expiring deal in 2022-23.
