Russell Westbrook seemed to be a potential trade chip for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason after the disappointing end to their season. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, here is now an increasing belief that Westbrook sticks with the Lakers next season.
The notion comes from the coaching search itself, with candidates being asked about the utilization of the veteran star guard, per Amick. The Lakers are seem to be doubling down on a questionable bet as last season was disastrous for them after missing the playoff and even falling out of the play-in tournament.
“The notion of Russell Westbrook remaining part of their program is seeming more real all the time. Despite the widely held belief that the Lakers would find a way to trade Westbrook before the start of next season, sources say their coaching candidates have been asked to discuss how they would use him in their system during interviews,” Amick wrote (h/t to Sportnaut.com).
Westbrook could not fit on Frank Vogel’s plan who tried many things to keep him in the court alongside LeBron James. James even played as a center for part of the season as Westbrook had more ball-handling duties.
Vogel was fired last month after the Lakers finished with a disapponting 33-49 record missing the play-in tournament. With the arrival of the NBA trade deadline came speculation about potential landing spots for Westbrook, with Los Angeles seemingly in desperate need of a deal.
However, minimal trade assets and no cap space prevent this team from making the necessary moves to really change things. The same could apply in the offseason for the veteran guard and the LA franchise, which obviously hopes that a coaching change could put him in place to succeed with the “Purple and Gold”.
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