Russell Westbrook just finished his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving more doubts than certainties at Crypto.com Arena. The former NBA MVP struggled to get things going in Los Angeles this campaign, as he thinks he wasn’t used the proper way and was never allowed to be who he really is.
While some people like Richard Jefferson agree with Russ’ remarks, others don’t think he’s the same player he used to be, and he’s better off playing a different role on the Lakers or any other team next season.
Russ isn’t seen as a valuable piece anymore, and many people around the league have reportedly confirmed that notion. According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, several scouts and executives don’t think that the player could be ‘useful’ anymore in the association.
“To other teams, Westbrook represented a one-year problem on the books as a way to erase long-term commitments to other players,” Woike reported. “Some scouts and executives around the league don’t view Westbrook as a useful player at this stage, especially with a nearly $50 million price tag.”
Westbrook’s level has decreased a little since he left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019. The player has tried to find his place in the world again, but it’s clear that Houston, Washington, or Los Angeles aren’t that.
In recent days, he’s been linked with a move to Charlotte and Indiana, but it’s unclear what kind of move the Lakers will pull off to let the Triple-Double King go while they get ready to rebuild their roster after a tumultuous campaign.
The Lakers have many questions to answer this offseason and Westbrook’s future appears to be the biggest one of all. What’s next for him? Only time will tell.
