The Los Angeles Lakers season ended much earlier than most people predicted. Even the most pessimistic of people couldn’t imagine the Lakers not even qualifying for the NBA Play-In Tournament, but they failed to even earn an appearance in that.
Finishing with a record of 33-49, the Los Angeles Lakers ended up being 11th in the Western Conference. For a team that came into the season with championship aspirations, you can expect plenty of changes to occur this offseason. One of the changes that they will push hardest to make is to trade Russell Westbrook.
Rob Pelinka took a major risk acquiring him from the Washington Wizards, depleting his assets in the process. That move could very well cost him his job, as a complete overhaul of the front office and coaching staff is not outside the realm of possibilities.
Figuring out where Westbrook could land in a trade, however, is easier said than done. One NBA analyst believes that the Miami Heat would be a great landing spot for Westbrook this offseason.
In theory, the Miami Heat would make a lot of sense. He fits the culture of the franchise, as hustle and effort are not two things you have to worry about receiving from Westbrook on a nightly basis. However, this isn’t a realistic landing spot via trade.
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Building a package to match Westbrook’s salary isn’t feasible as Miami isn’t going to part ways with Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler or Kyle Lowry to acquire Westbrook. If the Heat is going to trade any of those players, Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro, it is going to be for an All-Star level player not at the back end of his career; Bradley Beal has been mentioned as someone that would fit the bill of a Heat trade target this offseason.
If Russell Westbrook were to be traded, say to a team such as the Houston Rockets, and bought out, the Miami Heat would assuredly have a ton of interest in him. Playing for a head coach as good as Erik Spoelstra could help get Westbrook on track as he has gotten the most out of less talented players throughout his coaching career.
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But, for now, South Beach isn’t a realistic landing spot for the former MVP as a trade package would be virtually impossible to put together.
