Russell Westbrook
The Los Angeles Lakers took a risk acquiring Russell Westbrook last offseason. It was a risk that didn’t pay off, and they will now spend the offseason looking to hit the undo button on that deal.
But that will be easier said than done. There isn’t a team that will be knocking down the Lakers’ door to acquire him.
Ahead of the deadline, Los Angeles didn’t have any interest in attaching draft capital to Westbrook to get a deal done, but that may change given how poorly things went down the stretch of the season.
They will work the phones relentlessly and eventually find someone willing to take on Westbrook’s contract with a future first-round pick attached to him. That team will be the Orlando Magic, who have some veterans that could interest the Lakers to round out their rotation.
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With so many young guards already on the roster, the Magic will buy out Westbrook, getting the draft capital they desire. Westbrook will become a free agent and have his choice of which team to join.
He will return to one of his former teams, signing a deal with the Washington Wizards. Washington has to do all it can to convince Bradley Beal to remain with the franchise long-term. Bringing in someone in Westbrook, who played well there last season and fills a need, makes a lot of sense.
