NBA Rumors: Lakers Could Keep Russell Westbrook Until The Trade Deadline
Russell Westbrook has spoken loud and clear that he would like to part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers and start over elsewhere. Because he attempted to persuade him to remain in Los Angeles, he even dismissed his agency. But if Westbrook had any intention of leaving, exercising his player option would have all but eliminated that chance. Leaving with $47 million was obviously a bad idea, and it was never really an option. So it appears that they are trapped together, at least temporarily, as the Lakers refused to go with Westbrook for multiple choices. But according to an unnamed NBA agent, he may still be dealt with before the deadline.
“He’ll become easier to trade closer to the deadline [with the Lakers responsible for more than half of his 2022-23 salary]. “That’s a lot less money for an owner to spend on,” the agent told Bleacher Report’s Eric Pinus. “Teams are more realistic about where they stand at that point.” Other players become unhappy. Some may become available that [simply] aren’t right now.
Additionally, the agent asserts that the Lakers should just adopt the “John Wall strategy” and bench him until he is traded because he won’t be content sitting on the bench:
“They’re better without Russ, and he won’t come off the bench. Good luck with that. He’s going to b—h and moan. He thinks he’s the Russ of old,” the agent said. “‘John Wall’ him and take time… to know what they need before jumping in. The team can’t lose this trade, and everyone knows it. Trading just to trade is an awful mentality.”
Westbrook is not finished. He simply isn’t the type of player who makes $47 million per year right now. Unfortunately, he hasn’t realized that which could harm him as his career comes to a close.