Russell Westbrook to the Lakers and there’s more to come

Lakers Added Lots of Pieces in Off-Season

July 29th was the date for the NBA Draft 2021, but the headlines turned to Los Angeles Lakers just before the event, as there were strong rumors that said that Russell Westbrook might be moving to the Lakers from the Washington Wizards, in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Montrezl Harrell and the Lakers first pick in the Draft that night.

This rumor was later confirmed by the team and the media, plus Westbrook also commented on his Social Media channels, as did Kuzma, saying a heartfelt goodbye to Laker Nation.

Is Russell Westbrook a good fit for the Lakers?

Westbrook is definitely, still, one of the NBA’s best all around players, and one of the most electrifying guys you will ever see on a basketball court. He has led the league in triple doubles in multiple seasons, he even averaged a triple double already in a couple of seasons, one of which he was named as NBA MVP.

However, after spending 11 years in the Oklahoma City Thunder, he hasn’t had the same success in the past two seasons. For the 2019-2020 season he was transferred to the Houston Rockets, where he didn’t click with the team and with James Harden, so he was later traded to the Washington Wizards, for the 2020-2021 season. His numbers stayed up, that was not the problem, the problem was getting along with the teams.

This should be the Lakers’ main concern right now, and we’re sure it’s something the team, and the team’s leaders have already probably discussed with him. As long as Westbrook knows his place in the team, and what his role is, in supporting Anthony Davis, most of all, and LeBron James as well, then things will probably be fine for the team. There is no room for personal issues there, because Westbrook will not win that battle, LeBron is the NBA’s biggest name right now, and Davis is the guy that the Lakers are playing and planning for in the long run.

If the team is able to handle this, then it’s all good.

What will be the Lakers’ next move?

Buddy Hield is probably the team’s main objective right now, but it’s not an easy road, because of space and salary caps. This will be an interesting negotiation to watch. What the team decides to do with Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker will be key to what the Lakers can or can’t do. Other names, like Carmelo Anthony, are on the board, Demar DeRozan, even a possible return of Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, or Danny Green.

There are several names roaming around, the only thing that is for sure, is that Westbrook is not the last move the Lakers will make in this offseason, they are trying to build another championship team, and things will heat up in the next few days for sure.

 

How do you see the Lakers’ chances for next season? Can they have another championship run?