It has been clear for quite some time that the Los Angeles Lakers want to trade Russell Westbrook. Brodie has spent just one season with the team, but his performances were far from what the franchise expected them to be.
But the problem is the entire league is aware of the fact that Westbrook is on a bad contract and is declining at a fast rate. As a result, it has become incredibly tough for the Lakers to trade him and get valuable assets in return.
The only solution to it seems like the Lakers will be starting with Westbrook on the roster for the 2022-23 NBA season. If he performs well, it will only be beneficial for the Purple and Gold. Otherwise, the franchise might trade him for any offer that they’d get.
NBA writer Alex Speers recently made a similar claim about Westbrook’s future with the Lakers amidst a very tough opening schedule for the 17-time NBA champions.
Via Sportskeeda:
“If they don’t trade him by opening night, I think they will be trading him within two weeks from the start of the season. Their opening schedule is kind of brutal; at Golden State, Clippers, Portland, at Denver, at Minnesota, Denver, the Pelicans.
I’m predicting that if they don’t trade him by the opening game, within those first two weeks, by November 1st, there will be a Russell Westbrook trade because that opening schedule is setting them up for another disappointment. If they get up to another disappointing start again, the pressure is going to be insanely high.”
This is probably the last opportunity for the 9x NBA All-Star to fix his reputation. Otherwise, things will only get worse for the former NBA MVP.
Westbrook might be one of the highest paid players in the NBA this season. If he doesn’t fix some huge flaws in his game, there are many predicting that Westbrook might end up without a lucrative contract after his current contract expires.
