To say the Russell Westbrook experiment hasn’t worked out the way the Los Angeles Lakers hoped that would be an understatement. Westbrook was brought to LA to make a big three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and help the Lakers’ chances to win the NBA championship.
48 games into the season, however, and the Lakers are just now at the 500 mark for the season. Westbrook has been an inconsistent performer for them, and his turnovers are a big issue. The big problem is that Westbrook is used to being a primary ball-handler, a role he cannot assume with the Lakers who have LeBron James, one of the best playmakers in NBA history.
But if Lakers fans are expecting Russell Westbrook to be traded, they should brace themselves for disappointment. In an extensive report by Ramona Shelburn of ESPN, one anonymous source within the Lakers’ organization said that there is no way they can trade Russell Westbrook, and there is no plan B. If the Lakers win, it will have to be with Westbrook on the squad.
“It’s not like [Westbrook’s] a tradable player where if it’s not working out you just move on; everybody in the NBA knows that,” one team source said. “So it’s got to work. This is the only option. There is no Plan B for this season.”
This report also mentioned that Westbrook got defensive, feeling singled out during Lakers’ film sessions. With the Lakers’ squad underperforming, and their championship aspirations coming into doubt, the Lakers must make moves before the trade deadline to alter their squad. Stephen A. Smith has suggested that they will make moves, even suggesting that these moves will be ‘louder than Westbrook’s dunk’.
Westbrook’s name has been floated in trade rumors regardless, with the Rockets emerging as the only option to get him. Any potential Westbrook trade to the Rockets will result in injury-prone former All-Star John Wall going to the Lakers. Given how unreliable Wall has been over the years, there is understandable skepticism toward the deal.
