Does Westbrook have a future with the Lakers beyond this season?

For much of this season, it’s been assumed that Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook would be traded. However, that appears less and less likely with the team surging and Westbrook playing a key role in their success. This comes after Westbrook was moved to the bench early in the season, a move that was seen as a demotion by most, but he’s embraced his role and has thrived as a playmaker in the second unit.

In fact, he ranks sixth in the NBA in assists per game, despite coming off the bench and playing the fewest minutes of any player in the top 10 in that category.

While his passing has improved, his scoring has definitely dipped, and his efficiency is less than stellar. That said, he could continue to evolve as a player and have a role on the Lakers beyond this season.

Re-signing Westbrook should at least be considered by the Lakers.

The Lakers are likely to shake up their roster this offseason, and even if Westbrook isn’t traded, he’s not expected to be re-signed. However, that discounts the possibility that he would return to the Lakers on a discount contract. That idea may infuriate many Lakers fans, but Westbrook performing at a similar level next season while being paid around $10 million would be much more in line with his actual production.

Additionally, much of the criticism surrounding Westbrook is in relation to his making $48 million this season and underperforming relative to that figure. If Westbrook is capable of accepting a reduced role, he could be willing to accept a significant pay cut too. At this point in his career, he’s much closer to making the mid-level exception than the maximum, and if he wants to play for a contender, he’ll have to accept far less than he’s made for the majority of his career.

The Lakers aren’t currently a contender, but they could be if they wisely reshaped their roster in the offseason by adding shooting and swapping out ineffective parts for a more cohesive team. Some would argue that Westbrook should be one of those parts swapped out, but the Lakers will still need playmaking, and he’ll likely be the best player available in their limited price range.

All in all, both fans and the Lakers front office shouldn’t discount the possibility of the team bringing Westbrook back. While he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him when he was acquired from the Wizards in 2021, he has proven that he’s willing to accept a dramatically altered role for the good of the team.

He’s also become more of a facilitator for the first time in his career, and playmaking is at a premium in today’s NBA. If he can continue to adjust his game to the needs of the team, including better shot selection and reigning in the turnovers, re-signing Westbrook should absolutely be an option on the table for the Lakers this offseason.