Being totally honest Russell Westbrook’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers has not been ideal for either side. The purple and gold brought Russ on board to bolster the team and try to win an NBA Championships.
Unfortunately, Westbrook’s transition to an L.A. Lakers player hasn’t been smooth. While there have been times when Brodie has played like a true superstar, more often than not, he has failed to live up to expectations.
This has led to many speculating whether the Lakers should trade Westbrook and increase the depth of the roster in order to prepare for the postseason. One such NBA analyst is ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who proposed a trade scenario sending Westbrook to the New York Knicks.
“[If I were the Knicks], I call the Lakers for Russell Westbrook. I’m offering Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, and Evan Fournier for Russell Westbrook and [Lakers’] 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick. It’s different than the situation in Los Angeles, where you have six guys and sign guys for the minimum. You’ve got these young kids already there [in New York]. You’ve got 5-6 players under contract next year. You got (Julius) Randle there. You’re not a tax team. Hey, of all the flaws of Russell Westbrook, that guy competes. He’s a competitor. He’s a wildcard. I’m just watching a Knicks team that is so lethargic right now where their second unit is better than the first. Sometimes, these guys seem they don’t care.”
As Marks explained, the Knicks are definitely in need of some energy. Westbrook can provide that to the organization if he’s traded to them. On the other hand, the Lakers will get veteran players and a great point guard in Kemba Walker.
With the trade deadline approaching soon, if the Lakers want to trade the former MVP, now is the perfect time for them. Despite all the trade rumors surrounding Russ, he is still someone who believes the Lakers should not give up even after their third straight loss.
The Lakers are currently 24-27 and are at the 9th spot in the Western Conference standings. Even at this stage of the season, there is still some hope for the team and maybe they can turn the season around with a late push.
