For a lot of this season, it’s been assumed that Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook could be traded. Nonetheless, that seems much less and fewer possible with the workforce surging and Westbrook enjoying a key position of their success. This comes after Westbrook was moved to the bench early within the season, a transfer that was seen as a demotion by most, however he’s embraced his position and has thrived as a playmaker within the second unit.
In truth, he ranks sixth within the NBA in assists per sport, regardless of coming off the bench and enjoying the fewest minutes of any participant within the prime 10 in that class.
Whereas his passing has improved, his scoring has undoubtedly dipped, and his effectivity is lower than stellar. That mentioned, he might proceed to evolve as a participant and have a task on the Lakers past this season.
Re-signing Westbrook ought to a minimum of be thought-about by the Lakers.
The Lakers are more likely to shake up their roster this offseason, and even when Westbrook isn’t traded, he’s not anticipated to be re-signed. Nonetheless, that reductions the chance that he would return to the Lakers on a reduction contract. That concept could infuriate many Lakers followers, however Westbrook acting at an analogous stage subsequent season whereas being paid round $10 million could be way more according to his precise manufacturing.
Moreover, a lot of the criticism surrounding Westbrook is in relation to his making $48 million this season and underperforming relative to that determine. If Westbrook is able to accepting a lowered position, he might be prepared to simply accept a big pay minimize too. At this level in his profession, he’s a lot nearer to creating the mid-level exception than the utmost, and if he desires to play for a contender, he’ll have to simply accept far lower than he’s made for almost all of his profession.
The Lakers aren’t at present a contender, however they might be in the event that they properly reshaped their roster within the offseason by including capturing and swapping out ineffective elements for a extra cohesive workforce. Some would argue that Westbrook needs to be a kind of elements swapped out, however the Lakers will nonetheless want playmaking, and he’ll possible be the very best participant accessible of their restricted value vary.
All in all, each followers and the Lakers entrance workplace shouldn’t low cost the potential for the workforce bringing Westbrook again. Whereas he hasn’t lived as much as the lofty expectations positioned on him when he was acquired from the Wizards in 2021, he has confirmed that he’s prepared to simply accept a dramatically altered position for the great of the workforce.
He’s additionally change into extra of a facilitator for the primary time in his profession, and playmaking is at a premium in right this moment’s NBA. If he can proceed to regulate his sport to the wants of the workforce, together with higher shot choice and reigning within the turnovers, re-signing Westbrook ought to completely be an choice on the desk for the Lakers this offseason.
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