Lakers need to put Russell Westbrook in Javonte Green role

It’s been well documented that Russell Westbrook isn’t having the best season. In fact, it could be easily argued that he’s having the worst year of his entire career.

He’s never been a great shooter, but on a team that desperately needs floor spacing, Westbrook is floundering in a way that he’s never floundered before.

Throughout his entire career, Westbrook has been put in a position where the ball is constantly in his hands and he has the ability to control the offense. But with LeBron James leading the way, he’s been forced to adapt.

Lakers need to put Russell Westbrook in Javonte Green role

Well, the better description would be that he’s failed to adapt. There have certainly been times when he’s been able to be effective, but Westbrook’s best games in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey have, in large part, been when James has been sidelined.

This season, Westbrook has the lowest usage rate (27.6) he’s had in his career outside of his first two seasons in the league. And despite this, things still aren’t working out with the Lakers.

A big part of this could be, as odd as it sounds, that Westbrook is simply getting the ball too much. Sure, his usage rate is down, but it still ranks in the top 45 when looking at players with at least 1000 minutes played.

And on top of that, Westbrook ranks second in the league in terms of touches (4878). The only player with more touches than Westbrook this season is Nikola Jokic.

Instead of trying to account for Westbrook in the game plan, the Lakers should simply change the way he is used. Rather than have him be a primary ball-handling option, as crazy as it sounds, they should play Westbrook off the ball.

Paying someone $44 million to play off the ball is insane, but that’s where the Lakers are at right now. With how everyone is playing, it’s time for them to use Westbrook in the same way one player, in particular, is used – Javonte Green.