Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers do not have time to think about improving their group over a several-year span. They need to get better right now.
After all, LeBron James is 37. Anthony Davis is 29, but with his injury history, he may be an old 29. On the other hand, this deal may benefit the 33-year-old Westbrook more than anyone.
Sure, the Lakers would probably like to move him this summer. That doesn’t mean they’ll find a good deal for him. If they’re unable to, getting players that maximize his talents would be prudent. Specifically, the Lakers could improve their frontcourt spacing.
Washington ticks that box. He’s one of the better floor-spacing combo bigs in the NBA. Small-ball lineups where he mans the 5 featuring Westbrook at point guard may not just be competent – they could be dominant.
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It’s worth recalling that in 2019-20, Westbrook had one of the best statistical stretches of his career with the Houston Rockets while P.J. Tucker was in the middle.
Like Tucker, Washington’s brand of versatile defense may cover for some of Westbrook’s limitations as well.
