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Report: Los Angeles Lakers intend to keep Russell Westbrook

By Jack Simone

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Lakers were pegged as the favorites to make it out of the Western Conference at the start of the season. There were high hopes for their veteran-led crew.

By the end of the season, however, they failed to even qualify for the Play-In Tournament. It was a failure of epic proportions, and in theory, it should lead to them making some big-time offseason changes.

The obvious first move most expected them to make was finding a new home for point guard Russell Westbrook. However, it’s looking like he’ll be back in LA next season.

Report: Los Angeles Lakers intend to keep Russell Westbrook

As reported by Kyle Goon of the OC Register, the Lakers have had internal and external discussions about the plan to bring Westbrook back for next year:

“At the very least, the shift in the Lakers’ posturing speaks to a kind of organizational clarity to unify their message: Privately and publicly, they’ve shown their intent to keep Westbrook on next year’s roster,” Goon wrote.

This past season, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 29.8% from behind the three-point line.

While his stats don’t seem all that bad, it was his poor fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis that led to many questions. His lack of a three-point shot and constant need to handle the ball made him a questionable fit, to say the least.

But despite that, they plan on bringing him back. This falls in line with the comments new head coach Darvin Ham made during his introductory press conference.

“Don’t get it messed up. Russell is one of the best players our league has ever seen,” Ham stated. “He still has a ton left in that tank. I don’t know why people tend to write him off.”

The talent is there for this Lakers team to succeed. James is in the GOAT conversation, Davis is a two-way monster, and Westbrook is a triple-double machine.

Trading Westbrook seems like the obvious answer, but if they can surround that trio with shooters and defenders and Ham can put effective schemes into place on both ends of the court, this Lakers team should have a chance.

Next. 3 trades for the Trail Blazers with the 7th pick. dark

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