Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
The Lakers’ decision to acquire Westbrook was always puzzling. He’s a divisive player, and they’d already won an NBA title without him.
Perhaps they felt they needed another high-volume, star player in light of Anthony Davis’ injury proneness. If so, that may not be a concern anymore. Davis looks every bit of the star he was when the Lakers did win that 2019-20 title.
Assuming that continues, the Lakers only need to surround James and Davis with spacing. That’s the point of this deal: it brings them plenty.
Granted, Hardaway Jr. and Bullock have both been slumping this season. Still, each has plenty of data behind them to indicate that they’re likely to round back into form.
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Meanwhile, Wood is one of the most reliable floor-spacing big men in the NBA.
Should Dallas really part with him?