Los Angeles Lakers are willing to part ways with Russell Westbrook as the former OKC superstar enters the last season of his current contract worth $47M. The LA franchise may need to drop some sweeteners to make a deal for the 2016 MVP.
Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, opposing teams “have been demanding” the Lakers to include at least one first-round draft pick in order to take on the final year of Westbrook’s contract (h/t Bleacher Report).
Buha wrote the Lakers “have no intention” of including a first-round pick to facilitate a Westbrook trade. The Lakers can currently only trade their first-round picks in 2027 or 2028 due to other deals they have made.
If they wait until the 2022 NBA Draft they can include the 2029 pick in any deal. The LA team experienced a bad season headlined by poor fit, injuries and poor roster structure.
The fit between James and Westbrook seemed awkward, as the two dominant-ball stars could not find a way to become effective. The franchise is still trying to maximize what’s left of LeBron James’ prime and keep Anthony Davis healthy.
According to Buha, there’s an expectation that a better coach can make the fit between the three Lakers’ stars less awkward. Westbrook struggled in Lakers’ uniform this past season as the franchise missed the playoffs for the second time during James’ stint in LA.
The former Wizards’ superstar finished with the lowest average since 2009-10, with 18.5 points. The nine-time All-Star shot under 30 percent as the LA franchise finished with a 33-49 record.
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