There is much to be encouraged about the Lakers’ season so far despite their 0-3 record. Anthony Davis is looking closer to his 2019-20 form. They have the second-best defensive rating right now even though their roster lacks defensive personnel. Lonnie Walker IV has stood out as the Lakers’ third-best player. And LeBron James is still looking like a top player.
However, the Lakers have two big issues limiting them: they are having an abysmal shooting start to the season, and Russell Westbrook seems to have regressed even further. They are last in the league in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage, yet they managed to overcome this in their two most recent games against the Clippers and Trail Blazers and keep the score close up until the end.
3-Point Shooting By Team. pic.twitter.com/H1WRYVUL33
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) October 24, 2022
The Lakers managed to close a 12-point gap against the Clippers at the end of the third/early fourth quarter once they took Westbrook out. They also generated an eight-point lead against the Blazers when Westbrook was out during a similar stretch. In both games Westbrook was brought back to close, instantly killing their momentum and costing them key possessions. The Blazers didn’t even sag off of Westbrook defensively, they completely ignored him to provide help elsewhere.
It’s clear that a winning formula for the Lakers doesn’t involve Westbrook on the roster. And while those who see that are still wondering why the Lakers haven’t traded him yet, moving additional future first-round picks alongside him isn’t as cut and dry as it seems.
There doesn’t appear to be a deal out there that propels them back into contention yet they can’t bottom out for a top pick in this year’s draft. If the Lakers continue to struggle, they might ultimately decide not to make any deal, and they might be better off for it.