Do you believe that the Russell Westbrook experiment is working? Through 22 games, the Lakers are hovering around .500 and are barely in the playoff mix. Many expected the big three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Westbrook to run the Western Conference. However, that has not been the case as the combination looks clunky and discombobulated.
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Toronto Raptors
- Indiana Pacers
- Utah Jazz
- Philadelphia 76ers
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Westbrook has averaged 20.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 8.7 assists this season while shooting 44.6% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range. However, Westbrook is second in the league in turnovers with 4.7 per game. The Lakers won a championship in 2020 with two stars in LeBron and AD complemented with an assortment of veteran role players.
If the team wanted to end the experiment now and give the team a chance to contend for a title, then they should make a call to these five teams and try to make a trade.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade Package: Jonas Valanciunas, Devonte Graham, Tomas Satoransky for Russell Westbrook
If the Lakers wanted to get Davis out of the center, then they could lure Jonas Valanciunas from the Pelicans, who are having another solid season. The big man is averaging 18.5 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 50.3% from the field. Devonte Graham, the team’s other “prized” offseason acquisition could be more of a backup point guard, but could also play starter minutes.
The team would need both Graham and Satoransky for salary purposes, but it would give the Lakers options. LeBron could move back to point or stay at small forward while Graham and Satoransky could provide starter/backup minutes.
Toronto Raptors
Trade Package: Pascal Siakam, Goran Dragic for Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker
The Raptors started the year off strong, but have fallen back down to Earth. The team nearly traded Kyle Lowry to the Lakers last year in a package that included Talen Horton-Tucker. What if they could sway the Lakers into taking him this time. This would be a salary swap of two bad contracts in Westbrook and Siakam, so it would take a young player like THT to lure the Raptors.
With Siakam in the fold, it would allow LeBron to move back to point guard and then would give the frontcourt a strong combination with Siakam and Davis. Not to mention, Dragic is an experienced veteran who could play big backup minutes. Dragic played the Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals. Maybe, this time he can win it with the team.
Indiana Pacers
Trade Package: Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Jeremy Lamb for Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker
The Pacers could offer the best package in terms of surrounding parts. Westbrook and Domantas Sabonis are also an intriguing pair too. That might be enough to get the Pacers back into consideration for a back-end spot in the playoff race. As for the Lakers, Brogdon and Turner would give the Lakers one of the best starting lineups in all of basketball.
Brogdon, Wayne Ellington, LeBron, Davis, and Turner are very strong. It would also give the Lakers some deja vu from their strong 2020 defensive lineup. Turner is a league leader in blocks, while Brogdon is a former 50-40-90 member. There would be more promise. Plus, they would be younger.
Utah Jazz
Trade Package: Mike Conley Jr., Bojan Bogdanovic for Russell Westbrook
We know what you are thinking. Why would the Jazz, a team that won the No. 1 seed last year, make this move. For starters, the Jazz needs the third star. Westbrook’s fit would be better in Utah because of his style of game. With the number of double teams he gets, he would have many pick-and-pop opportunities with Rudy Gobert. Not to mention, Donovan Mitchell could play more off the ball and it would open up more opportunities for shots and dribble drives to the basket.
As for the Lakers, Mike Conley Jr. could be a true facilitator, which is what the Lakers need. The team’s lack of three-point shooting would be replenished with Bojan Bogdanovic, who is shooting 39.7% from the three-point range. A starting lineup of Conley, Bogdanovic, LeBron, and Davis would be competitive no matter who the fifth is.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade Package: Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle for Russell Westbrook
This trade would help both franchises right now. The 76ers have fallen on hard times as the team sits with the 11th best record in the East. The Lakers have the same .500 record as Philly. For each team’s weakness, this would provide each team with an upgrade. For starters, Westbrook and Embiid would be the best pick and pop duo in the league. A big three of Simmons, Embiid, and Tobias Harris won the No. 1 seed last year. Westbrook is better than Simmons, so enough is said there.
As for the Lakers, Simmons could revert to his normal self and be perfectly fine. With this Lakers team, Simmons wouldn’t have to play offense hard. He would just need to play defense and facilitate. Not to mention, imagine having Davis and Simmons on the same team defensively. They would be the best team in the league on defense with two potential Defensive Player of the Year candidates. Then, you have Matisse Thybulle coming off the bench? The Lakers would have the potential to hold opponents to under 100 points each night.
