Embattled Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is reportedly “very open” to being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers following a harrowing first season with the team.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne indicated during an appearance on “The Lowe Post” podcast that while Westbrook hasn’t asked to be dealt, he certainly wouldn’t reject the idea.
Russell Westbrook is ‘very open’ to a trade, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne
“He hasn’t asked for a trade. I’ve been assured of that. But he’s open to that and somebody who wants him and wants to empower him and wants him to be Russell Westbrook of old.”
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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 10, 2022
Promise Gone Awry
In August 2021, Westbrook was acquired by the Lakers in a blockbuster deal. In the buildup to the start of the 2021-22 regular season, his addition to the team was seen as a major boost to the team’s title hopes.
However, problems soon surfaced when it came to integrating him into the team’s starting lineup. Those chemistry issues, coupled with key injuries to teammates Anthony Davis and LeBron James, soon turned the Lakers’ season into a disaster.
Instead of challenging for an NBA title, the Lakers found themselves not even competing in the postseason. A good deal of blame for that major slip was laid at the feet of Westbrook.
While last season was going on, Westbrook became the subject of trade talks. Those discussions went nowhere, but have continued during the offseason.
Multiple Deal Hang-ups
One of the main roadblocks in trading Westbrook is the $47.1 million salary he has for the 2022-23 season. It’s the final year of his contract, but it’s still a number that teams either can’t or don’t want to fit under their salary cap.
Westbrook turns 34 in November and saw his once prolific numbers slip during last season’s debacle. During his prime years, he regularly delivered triple-doubles and developed into a superstar.
Given his advancing age and production slip last season, Westbrook needs to have a solid performance during the upcoming campaign in order to gain a lucrative new deal.
That may not happen in a Lakers uniform, which explains why Westbrook isn’t averse to being dealt.
For now, Westbrook is presumably preparing to be present later this month when the team opens up training camp. Whether he’s still with the team when the regular season commences remains a question mark.
