There’s a scenario in which the Los Angeles Lakers run it back next season with Russell Westbrook, but that would be a huge mistake.
There’s an expectation that personnel changes are coming this offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, much of that hinges on the team’s ability – or willingness – to trade Russell Westbrook.
Predictably, trading Russ won’t be easy. Not only because of his massive contract but because he was such a bad fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis this past season. So much so that there will be hesitance from around the league for any team that A) can afford his contract and/or B) teams that would even be mildly interested.
All that said, the expectation is that the Lakers would probably be able to trade him if they attach a second asset. After all, Russ is on an expiring contract after next season. There will likely be at least one team willing to take on the burden of the final year of his contract in exchange, say, for a first-round pick.
Of course, there’s one big problem with that idea. At least for now, the recent reporting suggests that the Lakers aren’t willing to attach an asset to trade Westbrook in an attempt to trade him. If so, that would essentially send the message that the Lakers are firmly willing to run it back next season with Westbrook.
But that would be a huge mistake.
There’s plenty of wiggle room for the Lakers this offseason. They can swap out their supporting cast, they could trade Talent Horton-Tucker, etc. But the one place where they should be absolutely no wiggle room is in regards to Russ.
Under no circumstances would it make sense for the Lakers to welcome him back next season. He was a terrible fit and will be coming off one of the worst seasons of his career – Russ averaged his lowest point total since his sophomore season and shot sub-30 percent from 3-point range.
He’s going to be 34 by the time next season is in full swing and is on the wrong side of his prime. If the Lakers were looking for a third star to help prolong LeBron’s championship window, it’s pretty clear that after one season Westbrook is not that star.
I understand the ego of a star in the NBA or any other professional sport for that matter. LeBron, Russ, and AD may truly think that they could make it work. They weren’t healthy for long this season, but even in the games they all played in, it never looked natural.
But this is the job of the front office. Just like the medical staff has to sometimes save the players from themselves, so does the front office. What are competitors supposed to believe? They always think they can figure it out. But the front office has to save them from themselves.
Stacking one mistake with another would set this franchise back. And, most importantly, would eliminate – or waste – another year of LeBron’s career.
Maybe this is all early-offseason smoke. And maybe the Lakers do intend on doing everything they can to trade Russ. Maybe none of this will matter in a couple of months when the Lakers roster is totally restructured.
Either way, it’s not looking great for the Lakers’ prospects heading into the offseason. Heading into camp with Russ on the roster would mean something went terribly wrong this offseason for LA. That much is true.