Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal

It’s hard to believe we’ve gotten here, but we have. This is how far Russell Westbrook’s trade value has sunk in 2022.

There was a time when this package wouldn’t be realistic unless the Dallas Mavericks were attaching five first-round picks. That time has long passed. By now, the Lakers would be lucky to get any value from Westbrook at all.

With this trade, they’re at least making an upgrade in terms of fit. When healthy, Hardaway Jr. is one of the league’s premier off-ball threats. Meanwhile, Bertans may be overpaid, but he is an above-average shooting 4.

In short, the Lakers are adding a lot of shooting here. They badly need it. They are losing their secondary playmaker. Following this deal, the pressure on Anthony Davis to return to his pre-injury form from two seasons ago increases.

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At the same time, that pressure already existed. If Davis can’t bounce back from his last two injury-riddled years, the Lakers won’t be contending – with or without Westbrook.