Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Josh Richardson, F Doug McDermott
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F/C Kevin Love, C Jakob Poeltl
Of course, you don’t have to tell the Lakers about plans that go awry. Unfortunately, sometimes, unexpected consequences aren’t so positive.
When the Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook last summer, they must have known he wasn’t an optimal fit alongside LeBron James.
After all, teams have been putting floor spacers around James for over a decade. Westbrook, for all of his strengths, has never been one of those.
In theory, the Lakers must have assumed they could scheme around those issues. They must have felt that putting another dynamic playmaker alongside James was a higher priority. As it turned out, their thinking was mistaken.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
We all know the story by now. The Lakers won 34 games and missed the play-in tournament. With the New Orleans Pelicans owning their first-round pick, they had nothing to show for their 2021-22 season. It was utterly wasted.
Surely, this organization understands that they can’t afford to waste another year of James’ prime. Does this deal help them avoid doing so?