The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the hottest intersections for trade rumors in the NBA. Following a flop last season, and a bad start to the season remains the number one reason for the trade talks. And all the weight on one pair of shoulders because of his highly disappointing performance last year. The whole of LA was excited to welcome Russell Westbrook after winning the title in 2020. However, his adjustment to the team resulted in an incompatibility with other superstars of the Lakers. This situation made the fans furious and restless to trade him out at the first chance they got.
The 34-year-old point guard was not a bargain because of his high value in the market. He is considered one of the most expensive stars in the NBA and his performance did not reflect his worth. So, Russell Westbrook became of the major focal points of the trade rumors entering the 2022-23 season. However, the arrival of the first-time NBA head coach Darvin Ham changed the story of the nine-time All-star. He even became an MVP option for the sixth man of the year. Meanwhile, the rumors of San Antonio’s interest in the point guard have awakened recently.
Lakers Need A Better Roster, Thinking To Trade Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has not been the best thing for the Lakers, but his contributions have been crucial at times. If the administration wants to have a shot at the title this year, they will need a drastic improvement in their team. And an NBA insider suggests that the Lakers are in search of better players in exchange for the veteran Westbrook. His massive contract is on the verge of expiration, and the two weeks remaining on the trade deadline will be an important period for the team.
The Spurs don’t have any definite goals for the season as their playoff spot is already too far to consider. So they have made amends with the situation and are trying to rebuild now. Following their rebuild, many teams in the NBA have shown interest in their players. Jakob Poeltl remains the star attraction, even for the Lakers. If the Lakers could get a center, this would allow Davis to return to his position as a forward. But it will be an end of action for Russell Westbrook.
In addition to Poelt, the Lakers are also interested in players like Dough McDermott and Josh Richardson. However, the Lakers will have to weigh their options carefully, seeing the recent Russell Westbrook performances. He has been an elite help alongside LeBron James, who has shown his class on various occasions. But the recent games have proved that Westbrook can also deliver a high-point game apart from the defense. The 34-year-old is a complete package and electric presence at both ends of the court. However, his consistency has always been a major problem for the team.