NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers to ‘ride season out’ with Russell Westbrook?

NBA Trade Rumors: There are rumblings that the Los Angeles Lakers may ride the season out with Russell Westbrook. 

Over the last few games, the Los Angeles Lakers have played slightly better, having won three games in a row, but it’s hard to imagine that this team will factor much in the Western Conference this season. Unless, of course, they are able to make a big trade.

However, the more the season drags on without one taking place, the less likely it will happen (in my opinion). The Lakers are losing ground every week (it seems) and are currently 13th in the West standings.

At the least, the expectation has been that the Lakers will eventually trade Westbrook. It hasn’t happened and, now, it appears it may not completely. According to a recent report, there’s a belief that the Lakers could “ride it out” for the remainder of the season with Westbook still on the roster.

It would be a huge pivot for the Los Angeles Lakers to not trade Russell Westbrook

After the last few months of reporting, it would be quite the pivot from the Lakers to not trade Russ. Even with the fact that he’s looked better in a bench role, the Lakers, if they want a shot at salvaging the season, need to trade Russ. There are no questions about that.

For the Lakers, “riding out the season” with Russ essentially means that they don’t believe there’s a trade out there that will drastically raise their ceiling. And the team would be foolish to burn future first-round picks to not even have a real shot at making a dark horse championship run this season.

I genuinely believe that this report says more about the lack of belief in the Lakers’ roster this season vs. a belief in Russ. Westbrook is an expiring contract and the Lakers will have money to spend during the offseason.

If the Lakers don’t believe there’s a championship-changing move on the open market, it makes little sense to force a trade. But admitting that to the fan base may be difficult. And I’m not sure tying it up in an “improved Russ” is going to work.