When the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook over the summer, it was easy to understand the logic.
They needed a point guard. They wanted a third star. Westbrook could potentially be both for them and he was available after a blistering final couple of months of the season with the Wizards.
But the downsides there were apparent, too. To get Russ on board, they’d have to sacrifice the little shooting they had on the roster already and the depth that made them so good.
It’s not the time to make snap judgments after just one game in the season, but the Lakers certainly did see all of the pitfalls in trading for Russell Westbrook in their first game.