After winning four consecutive games, many believed that the Los Angeles Lakers have finally snapped their poor form and are on the path to turning the season around. Unfortunately, it was too soon for them to think that as the Lakers have now lost back-to-back games.
In these defeats, there were two consistent things. One is LeBron James continuing to play in a phenomenal way and doing everything in his power to help the team win. The second is Russell Westbrook’s struggle to contribute, well, anything to the game.
This has once again led to many sports pundits and fans taking out their anger on Westbrook. In the Lakers’ recent defeat at the hands of the Sacramento Kings, Westbrook shot an embarrassing 14% from the field, of course, which led to Lakers fans flaming the point guard. Moreover, he scored just 8 points in the game!
At this point in the season, there are hardly any surprises when Russ plays like this. Even the Kings trolled him for his performance and labeled him as the ‘Ice Cold Player Of The Game.’ To this unfortunate label, Russ replied with confidence.
Regardless, there are no doubts that Westbrook needs to change his approach to the game. After all, he is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA and he is yet to play like that. This brings us to the major point of discussion for this article. Many are wondering if the Lakers should finally trade Westbrook and try to get some better players in return for him.
True or False:
The Lakers should at potential trade options for Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/pOgz7dYpbP
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 13, 2022
While the season is not over yet, it has become quite obvious to many that Westbrook is declining at a fast pace. Many fans shared their thoughts about whether the Lakers should look at potential trade options for him or not.
https://twitter.com/russelllltextb1/status/1481752097603289089
Russ and Randle duo 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/7LELTaP2Fn
— Nets Insider (@notoriousbknets) January 13, 2022
True: they should play him at the 5… the 5 on the floor can’t shoot but they can rebound/cut hard and occasionally pick and pop… and he can dribble (sometimes) let lebron run the point and Russ run center even when AD comes back
— Matt Cesare (@matt_james2302) January 13, 2022
Ain’t a single team in the league taking Russ on his contract
— Walter White (@malaj1031) January 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/coreyxero/status/1481905542863982592
Who would they get for him?? I’m not sure many teams will want to take on him and his contract. 🤷♂️
— The Locker Room Podcast (@TLRpodcast1) January 13, 2022
Westbrook has negative trade value. Lakers would have to attach assets that they don’t have just to convince a team to take him. It’s not happening. Lakers will be a play in or first round out.
— Costa Fabrikis (@costafabrics) January 13, 2022
No one wants this guy
— david loya (@davidloya51) January 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/IT4sReturn/status/1481748535032705024
Imagine trading a player you just traded for 5 months ago? That is desperation, like time is running out. Wonder who that could pertain too on the lakers??????
— NBA King (@nbaking44) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/blackneo23/status/1481778521894793218https://twitter.com/DTCriss/status/1481753920984682497
True he’s ruining the chemistry of that team but who in there right mind is taking that contract? Sixers wouldn’t even swap Bens for Westbrooks
— Jamie Tennant (@JamieTennant3) January 14, 2022
All respect to Russ he's a great player but he wasn't archetype of player that the Lakers needed.
— J.Cristao (@Corvo_PT) January 14, 2022
As many fans pointed out, it is pretty hard for the Lakers to find a potential trade for Russ. One fan did point out that the Orlando Magic might acquire the former NBA MVP. While it might be possible, the Magic have young guards that they might want to nurture instead of taking on the hefty contract of Westbrook.
At the end of the day, the Lakers need to find a way to make this experiment work with Russ still on the team. Once Anthony Davis is back from injury, maybe it will work in the team’s favor and take off the pressure of scoring from the shoulders of Russ. But there is no surety about that either.
