Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason
By Jack Simone
![PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3aec49c9b80b4d9e2962a666a11905a428d08025032a9599fa3e75f91093322c.jpg)
Oh, Los Angeles Lakers. What a season it was. The word ‘disappointing’ doesn’t really do it justice, now does it? I think the word ‘abomination’ makes a lot more sense.
Now I know what most Lakers fans will say – ‘There were too many injuries! Who knows what would have happened if the team was healthy!” And you know what, sure. I’ll give it to you. Injuries definitely impacted the Lakers’ season in a big way.
Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason
But I hate to be the bearer of bad news. When LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook played together (21 games), the Lakers were only 11-10. If you stretch that winning percentage out over the course of an entire season, it comes out to .524 – which would have landed them the eighth seed in the West.
Regardless, the past is in the past. And with the horrifically unprofessional firing of Frank Vogel, the Lakers have officially hit rock bottom. But hey, at least now the only way to go is up!
And that slow, treacherous climb back to the top starts with one move – trading Westbrook. Lakers fans may not have enjoyed reading this thus far, but even they can agree that Westbrook needs to be moved.
Despite James saying that he wants to play with Westbrook again next season, the Lakers would be foolish to bring him back. The fit clearly didn’t work out, and Westbrook had some wild things to say during his exit interview.
But now, the question is, where does Westbrook end up this offseason?