The dominant narrative in the NBA is that Russell Westbrook’s decision to sign with the Lakers this offseason was a mistake.
Russell Westbrook is Sorely Mistaken if He Thinks the Lakers Can Afford to Pay Him $47 Million. The Lakers want to build a team that can compete for championships and they are not willing to pay Russell Westbrook an average of $30 million per year. Read more in detail here: is russell westbrook getting traded.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ terrible season ended with them missing the playoffs, which was a shattering blow. The focus swiftly goes to the Lakers’ next summer preparations, which will be dominated by Russell Westbrook’s status.
Westbrook’s inability to fit into the mix has left him with an unclear future. Despite this, the top point guard stays optimistic that the ball will be returned, although this is an unreasonable conviction.
Russell Westbrook wants to play for the Lakers again.
Russell Westbrook on whether or not he’d prefer to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis more next season: “That is the strategy. However, nothing is guaranteed. Each day, you must take one step at a time.”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 6, 2022
The Lakers’ removal from postseason contention forces them to focus on their long-term goals.
The nine-time All-Star is projected to be one of the key roster additions as the Cavaliers try to put together a championship contender around LeBron James. Following Tuesday’s defeat, Westbrook expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles and play with James and Anthony Davis.
Westbrook told CBS Sports, “That’s the plan.” “However, nothing is certain. It’s almost as if you have to take it one day at a time. You have to play the cards you’re handed, like I’ve stated all season. Yes, we’d want to see what it looks like and implies over the length of an 82-game season, but we’re not convinced that’s possible. So all I can say is that I hope we have a chance to accomplish something.”
Injuries obviously contributed to the Lakers’ great trio’s struggle to gel, but Westbrook’s reluctance to move into a supporting role became apparent. Because of his shooting issues, the 33-year-old didn’t fit the pattern as a third scoring option.
Instead, the Lakers’ failures persuaded him to stick to his old playing style, which the team didn’t need. Westbrook’s comments also suggest that he will exercise his $47 million player option for next season, making it difficult for Los Angeles to move him.
If the Lakers are unable to sell him, the former league MVP may get his wish, but that is not the plan. A roster shuffle is in order, and he’ll be one of the newcomers.
Russell Westbrook is naive to expect he will be retained by the Lakers.
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That card doesn’t seem to be in the books, no matter how much Russell Westbrook wants to bring it back for another season.
He may have only appeared in 21 games with James and Davis, but the season as a whole proved that he isn’t a good match. Beyond that, his contract will be the deciding factor in whether or not he gets moved. The Lakers’ ability to assemble a dominant group around their top player is severely limited by his $47 million contract.
Rob Pelinka, the general manager, had little choice except to depend on senior players accepting pay cuts to the veteran’s minimum wage. Los Angeles assembled a collection of experienced players, but they were unable to construct a cohesive one that excelled on both ends of the floor.
Westbrook has every motive to return and disprove the skeptics, but the Lakers are working on James’ schedule. The 18-time All-contract Star’s runs out next year, but he still has a lot of high-level basketball left in him. Furthermore, the club hopes to assemble a squad that will persuade James to extend his contract beyond the 2022-23 season this coming summer.
The Lakers want to rebuild the squad around James and Davis, and Davis’ belief that he’ll be a part of the long-term plans is wishful thinking.
Trading the star point guard will be difficult for the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers watches an NBA game. |Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Lakers will have alternatives, despite the fact that it is much too early to speculate on hypothetical trade situations.
Many will almost certainly include draft assets in order to entice clubs to take on Westbrook’s hefty remaining contract. The 33-year-worth old’s has plummeted, but in the proper setting, he can perform at a high level.
Los Angeles might revisit the notion of a John Wall deal, but the club would have to be willing to part with a first-round pick. In the meanwhile, another franchise might arise that is searching for a star to lead the push.
Much may happen in the coming months, but the Lakers will have to give up first-round selections. In other words, if Los Angeles wants to move away from Westbrook, it must sacrifice its pride.
Spotrac provided the contract numbers.
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Russell Westbrook is sorely mistaken if he thinks the Lakers can afford to pay him $47 million. The Lakers’ salary cap is only around $70 million, so they will not be able to offer him that much money. Reference: lakers salary cap.
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