Predicting 2021-22 NBA Season For Lakers Star Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
NBA Analysis Network

The Los Angeles Lakers shook up their roster this NBA offseason. There will be at least 10 new players from when the 2020-21 season ended in the first round of the playoffs.

The highest-profile addition that they made was trading for point guard Russell Westbrook. The Lakers acquired him from the Washington Wizards after nearly completing a trade with the Sacramento Kings.

All the players were notified, but Los Angeles pivoted to a deal with the Wizards at the last minute. Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell thought that they were heading to the Kings in exchange for Buddy Hield. Those two players, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 pick, were sent to Washington instead.

There are some potential issues when adding a ball-dominant player such as Westbrook into the mix compared to a 3-point shooter like Hield. But, the Lakers made the right decision going after Westbrook.

READ MORE: Lakers News: NBA Exec Gets Brutally Honest About DeAndre Jordan To Los Angeles

While not the floor spacer the team was looking for, he is a major upgrade at the point guard spot from Dennis Schroder. He will provide the team with a lot more upside. Rob Pelinka also did a wonderful job filling out the rest of the roster, and there are plenty of 3-point shooters in that mix.

Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk, Rajon Rondo, and Carmelo Anthony shot at least 40 percent from the 3-point line last season. There will be plenty of spacing on the court, which will leave plenty of room for Westbrook to operate.

There will be some adjusting needed from everyone to make this work. Westbrook is coming off of his fourth season of averaging a triple-double out of the last five. He may not have the ball in his hands as often, as LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be getting their opportunities as well.

While he will likely see a dip in usage, his efficiency should improve. There are many players to pay attention to on the Lakers, which will lead to easier shots for Westbrook, who was tasked with essentially carrying an entire offense with Bradley Beal last season.

READ MORE: Lakers News: NBA Exec Gets Brutally Honest About DeAndre Jordan To Los Angeles

Westbrook is going to still have a strong year as part of a Big 3 in Los Angeles. He has played with high-profile teammates in the past, and it has never deterred him from producing some gaudy numbers. He will look to do the same with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Russell Westbrook will fall short of averaging a triple-double again but will still provide Los Angeles with numbers to help make them among the best teams in the NBA. He will play 74 games, averaging 32.5 minutes per game. The former UCLA Bruin will score 20.4 points per game with 9.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists, chipping in 1.5 steals per game.

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