After the Los Angeles Lakers were bounced from the NBA playoffs in the first round, it became apparent the team needed more talent to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Though untimely injuries to Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope transpired, simultaneously foiling the Lakers’ schemes on both ends, the role players simply couldn’t step up to supply more.
The Lakers’ woes resulted in many wondering who L.A. could target in a potential trade to improve the squad. Los Angeles doesn’t have as much financial flexibility as other teams, so making a trade for a quality player might be a viable route.
One player mentioned is Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook. Bleacher Report proposed a hypothetical scenario in which the nine-time All-Star comes to Los Angeles.
In this scenario, the Lakers would send back Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick.
Here’s Bleacher Report’s analysis for why L.A. should consider it:
“With little to trade in terms of draft picks and young talent, the Lakers need to be eyeing overpaid stars on teams looking for salary relief instead.
Westbrook is still one of the league’s most devastating forces, especially when he’s taking smart shots and limiting his turnovers. He led the NBA with 11.7 assists per game this season, pulling down a career-high 11.5 rebounds and scoring 22.2 points a night.
A healthy LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook together should firmly be back in the hunt for the 2022 title and trading for the 2017 MVP would mean not having to pay Dennis Schroder this summer.”
Bringing a player with a strong Hall-of-Fame resume seems palatable for Los Angeles’ title aspirations, but it’s difficult to pull off.
With Kuzma’s extension set to kick in next season, the salaries of all players involved work out. But Westbrook is owed north of $44 million next season and over $47 million in 2022-23.
The Lakers are already strapped with what they can do financially. Filling in the gaps with the rest of the roster may prove laborious because talented players won’t come cheap.
There are also concerns about how the 32-year-old guard, who turns 33 in November, would fit within the offense.
Westbrook averages 95.3 touches per game, the third-highest mark in the league. The Lakers run their offense through LeBron James and Davis, but one of those three players would have to settle for a truncated role than what they’re accustomed to.
Head coach Frank Vogel could stagger lineups and have different players lead different rotations, similar to how the Brooklyn Nets operate with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
Westbrook’s 3-point shooting is also worrisome, however. He shot 31.5 percent on 4.2 attempts a game this season, which is his best rate since the 2016-17 campaign.
Los Angeles just witnessed how vital good and consistent 3-point shooting is to win games, as the team shot just 29.9 percent in the first round against Phoenix.
Another interesting nugget is Westbrook grew up in Southern California, so the transition would be seamless.
But the Lakers should proceed with caution if a Westbrook trade is entertained given the rest of the personnel on the roster.
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