On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of at least reaching the play-in tournament ended with a sad 121-110 setback at the hands of the Phoenix Suns.
Afterward, Russell Westbrook was asked if he wants to stay on next season with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and it sounds like he is willing to give things another try.
https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1511580531946786817
When L.A. traded for Westbrook last summer, it was generally expected that the team would be a prime contender for the NBA championship this season.
But the Lakers gave up a fair amount to get him, as they dealt key role players in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, a useful piece in Montrezl Harrell and a first-round draft pick.
The team ended up filling out the roster with over-the-hill players who simply didn’t get it done, especially on the defensive end.
Westbrook himself was up and down this season, although he has played very well in the last several games. He put up 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting on Tuesday, although he had six turnovers and just three assists.
It is widely believed that the Lakers will, one way or another, get rid of Westbrook this summer. His contract, which will pay him about $47 million next season, would make it nearly impossible to improve the rest of the roster.
One way or another, the Lakers’ roster could look drastically different this October.
