The question of what the Los Angeles Lakers will do with Russell Westbrook is the million-dollar question hanging over the organization.
Are they still going to look to trade him (according to an NBA insider, the answer is yes)? If they don’t like what they’re offered in return, or if they’re asked to give up at least one future first-round draft pick as well, will they say no?
Clearly, pulling off a Westbrook trade won’t be easy.
But if such a trade doesn’t happen, would the Lakers at least be open to waiving him or perhaps simply not playing him at all next season in order to prevent any problems?
According to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, don’t count on it.
Via The Athletic:
“The Russell Westbrook factor continues to loom large here. Candidates have been asked to discuss how they would use a roster that includes Westbrook, with Lakers officials operating under the belief he will be part of their program next season. Westbrook has a player option worth $47 million for the 2022-23 campaign.
As for the prospect of Westbrook being waived or sent home (a la Houston’s John Wall last season) if he is not traded, those are not considered viable options, and all indications are that he will play. With that in mind, the Lakers are focused on hiring a coach who is capable of navigating these types of sensitive situations.”
Keeping Westbrook because the alternatives would be worse would be one thing. But actually making him an important part of a winning, cohesive team would be something else entirely.
If it were simply about basketball, Westbrook could certainly help a team contend for an NBA championship in the right situation.
But it would take a head coach (and assistants) who will successfully get Westbrook to buy into whatever system they will run, get him to play defense and also get him to occasionally not be the man who advances the ball upcourt.
The team was reportedly frustrated with Westbrook for many reasons this season, and one of them was his refusal to take instruction or critiques from its coaching staff.
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