In 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook, but he just wasn’t a great fit and the move ended up being a total disaster. Now, an ESPN report states that LeBron James and the Lakers would admit that they made a mistake by trading for Westbrook.
“Sources told ESPN that every member of the organization involved in the Russell Westbrook trade — including James – will admit they misjudged it, owning part of the blame.”
I struggle to imagine how so many within the organization thought that was a good idea. Almost everyone on the outside felt at the time that the Lakers were making a mistake by trading for Westbrook, and they were proven right.
He and LeBron on the same team just did not make sense, no matter how you looked at it. Westbrook and James need the ball in their hands in order to be at their best, and having to share those duties reduced their effectiveness.
Add Anthony Davis to that equation and things get worse. All three of them thrive when they are surrounded by shooters, and there just wasn’t enough spacing when they were on the court together. It ultimately led to the decision to have Westbrook come off the bench last season, and he had some success in that role.
Despite that, the writing was pretty much on the wall as time went by regarding his career as a Laker. Midway through the 2022-23 campaign, the Lakers traded Westbrook to drop the curtain on a frustrating era. He ended up playing 130 games for the franchise and averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks in them.
Jeanie Buss Reportedly Blamed Frank Vogel
The one individual who might have ended up suffering the most from that trade is former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. It has been reported that Lakers governor Jeanie Buss blamed Vogel for the failed Westbrook experiment. It ultimately played a role in him being fired in 2022, just two years after he led the Lakers to the championship.
Considering they moved on from Westbrook less than a year later, I think Buss realized Vogel was not the reason why it failed. Most head coaches in the NBA wouldn’t have been able to make it work, and he was just put in a very difficult position by the organization’s decision to trade for Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook Is Happier On The Clippers
Westbrook’s struggles with the Lakers also led to him being made the scapegoat for the team’s failures. The situation just became very toxic as time went on and being traded away was the best thing that ever happened to him. Westbrook would eventually end up on the Clippers and said he’s much happier than he was with the Lakers.
“Long list. But we don’t got enough time for that today… I’m very grateful for an opportunity and a team that wanted me during a tough time… just for myself and basketball-wise being able to come to a spot where I was embraced. I told myself I would give like I always have and I would be the best I possibly be. This game is supposed to be fun, that’s who I am, that’s the energy I bring. That joy to me is what makes me who I am.”
From day one, the Clippers and their fans fully embraced Westbrook. They made him feel like he was wanted and for someone who had to endure a very difficult year or so, that would have meant a lot. It could also be why he selflessly volunteered to come off the bench for them.
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