Three Possible Scenarios for Westbrook in 2022-23
Last month, two of the NBA’s biggest offseason sagas reached their respective climaxes: the Kevin Durant drama in Brooklyn and the Donovan Mitchell chaos in Utah. Pundits also believe Kevin Durant’s decision to stay in Brooklyn helped the Nets solve the Irving dilemma as well.
However, the NBA still has one more situation to keep an eye on involving Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers.
After a spectacular failure during the 2021-2022 season that saw the Lakers miss the play-in tournament, many believed Russell Westbrook was already on his way out. After all, his surprising arrival in LA didn’t produce a playoff appearance much less a championship. More importantly, he became the punching bag of the LA faithful throughout most of the year as well.
Three months into the offseason and with less than a month to go before the start of the new season, the Lakers and Westbrook are still stuck with each other. Westbrook’s name has been included in numerous trade rumours, including a potential swap for Irving. With time ticking fast, the Lakers’ options have become increasingly limited.
Still, it doesn’t mean Westbrook won’t be moved before or during the 2022-2023 season.
Stay in LA
While the prospect of seeing Westbrook staying in Hollywood seems far-fetched, it’s also the most logical option not just for him but also for the team.
The Lakers have already looked for ways to get rid of Westbrook. They no longer have enough tradable assets or draft compensation to offer in a blockbuster trade. Plus, the arrival of one Patrick Beverley last week makes trading Westbrook more difficult than it already was.
Why is LA still the best place to be for Westbrook? It’s Hollywood. It’s where the drama is.
More importantly, another run with LeBron James and a healthy Anthony Davis gives Westbrook an opportunity to redeem himself as one of the elite point guards in the NBA. Jeanie Buss had nothing but praise for the 2017 MVP, even calling Westbrook as LA’s best player last year.
Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and one steal in 78 regular-season games last season. However, the Lakers just went 31-47 in those games.
Last Second Trade
There’s still an off chance that Russell Westbrook could be traded eventually. Previous rumours connected Wesbrook’s name to a possible trade with the Indiana Pacers. That deal could have seen Myles Turner and Buddy Hield go to the Lakers in exchange for Westbrook. However, it didn’t materialize as the Lakers’ refusal to add two first-round picks killed the deal.
The Lakers are also in the running to land one of Utah’s veterans like Mike Conley or Jordan Clarkson as the Utah Jazz continue their rebuilding process after sending Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland. Westbrook could be included in that deal too.
As heavy as his baggage may be, a focused Westbrook is an unstoppable Westbrook. With the right system, plenty of teams could benefit from acquiring him.
Sit Out for a Year
Some believe Russell Westbrook could benefit if he sits one season out. Remember Carmelo Anthony’s 13-game stint with the Houston Rockets?
It wasn’t until the Portland Trail Blazers signed Melo in 2019 that he made his return to the NBA. And he played well during the 2020 NBA bubble inside Disneyland in Orlando. Why?
A year out of the league changes a player’s mindset. This is exactly what Russell Westbrook needs: a timeout to understand he needs to adapt his game to the stage of his career he currently finds himself in. When it comes to understanding what is needed from him in order to achieve team success, Westbrook still has a ways to go.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.