Everyone knows the Los Angeles Lakers have been trying hard to trade Russell Westbrook for the past six months.
Such efforts started with a proposed deal that would’ve sent him and draft capital to the Houston Rockets for John Wall, but L.A. said no.
So far this summer, the team has asked about Kyrie Irving, Buddy Hield and Myles Turner to no result.
A big problem is the fact Westbrook is seen as having little, if any value, by other teams. Perhaps the biggest reason is his contract, which will pay him about $47 million this season.
The 2017 league MVP is likely a better player than his perception right now, but not one worth $47 million.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, one NBA agent suggested the Lakers wait until the trading deadline this winter to get rid of Westbrook.
Via Bleacher Report:
“He’ll become easier to trade closer to the deadline (with the Lakers responsible for more than half of his 2022-23 salary). That’s a lot less money for an owner to spend,” the agent said. “Teams are more realistic on where they stand at that point. Other players become unhappy. Some may become available that (simply) aren’t right now.”
Other than Irving, there is no Westbrook trade on the horizon that would instantly turn Los Angeles into a title contender again.
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If it fails to deal him before the start of the season, it will be stuck with him for at least the time being. Some have speculated the team might send him home and refuse to play him to prevent strained vibes and relations, but the way head coach Darvin Ham has talked about him, it’s hard to imagine such a scenario right now.
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