The biggest trade that was made this NBA offseason was between the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards. Russell Westbrook was on the move again, this time heading back home to the west coast.
Los Angeles acquired Westbrook from Washington in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. It was a move that drew a lot of attention and debate.
The Lakers came into the offseason knowing they had to remake their roster. Some 3-point shooting was what they needed more of. They would have gotten plenty from Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings.
Hield was reportedly on his way to the Lakers before they pivoted and acquired Westbrook instead. A deal between the Kings and Lakers was so close to being done the players thought they were on the move.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lakers’ Russell Westbrook On Fit With LeBron James: ‘Will Work’
Alas, something changed and Los Angeles landed Westbrook instead. Westbrook won’t help the team with 3-point shooting and it was a move heavily scrutinized by some. One anonymous NBA scout lambasted the move.
“I don’t get it at all. Russ, LeBron, and AD are not going to fit…at all. The idea of adding star power just to have star power isn’t going to work for the Lakers this time around.”
There are certainly some concerns about how things will work with those three. They aren’t a perfect fit skill set-wise, so Frank Vogel will certainly have his hands full. But, if there is one thing they all have in common, it is that they want to win.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lakers’ Russell Westbrook On Fit With LeBron James: ‘Will Work’
Russell Westbrook wants that elusive NBA Championship and this could be the best chance that he will have to do it. Los Angeles is a veteran-laden team with a ton of experience, so they know what it will take to get the job done. Holding up physically will be what the Lakers have to worry about most as they have one of the oldest rosters in NBA history.
There were some struggling results in his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 17.5 minutes, he finished with just two points on 14.3-percent shooting from the floor along with seven rebounds, four assists, and six turnovers. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out this season.
