Lakers: Why Russell Westbrook Trade Shouldn’t Happen
Russell Westbrook seems like a potential trade target for the Lakers, but there are valid reasons why it shouldn’t happen
Ever since Kevin Durant spurned the Oklahoma City Thunder in favor of the Golden State Warriors, there’s been much speculation as to what will happen with point guard Russell Westbrook. While it’s fair to assume that he will leave the Thunder as a free agent next summer, there have been rumors that OKC is looking to trade him now to maximize his value as they begin their rebuild and the Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned many times as a possible destination.
Westbrook would definitely improve any team he would end up joining, instantly making them a playoff contender. That being said, the Lakers should not be in the business of making a trade for Russell Westbrook.
Without a doubt, Westbrook would elevate the Lakers just like any other team. With the signings of Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng alone, the Purple and Gold will hopefully exceed the 17-win mark they set last season. Adding Westbrook would not only ensure the team wins more than 17 games, but might just be enough to vault LA into the playoffs—which would work with the deadline Jim Buss set for himself.
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However, making the playoffs would not be enough. With the top half of the Western Conference as stacked as it is with the Warriors, along with the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers in addition to rising teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz, a deep run would be unlikely for the Lakers.
A that point, it becomes about opportunity cost of a Westbrook trade. Would trading for Westbrook but still not being in contention for a title really be worth what the Lakers would have to send to Oklahoma City in a deal?
The cost for Westbrook most definitely would be greater than the front office would like to give up. The package would have to include some combination of D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and future draft picks. Those are all players that Mitch Kupchak and other front office personnel have referred to multiple times as the future of the franchise. Trading away any of these four would just re-open multiple holes on the roster that the team has spent the past three seasons filling.
Some would counter this by saying the Lakers would be able to fill these holes with other stars wanting to play with Westbrook. While having a superstar such as Westbrook would make the team more attractive to free agents, there is no guarantee that Westbrook would re-sign with the team after becoming a free agent (see Howard, Dwight). If that were to happen, it would leave the Lakers with absolutely nothing to show for it. Just the thought of being all the way back at square one should be enough to keep the Lakers from making this trade.
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At the end of the day, a trade for Russell Westbrook isn’t the answer for the Lakers as the risks outweigh rewards. Though riskier, the better option would be to pursue him in 2017 free agency where signing him in addition to the Lakers core of assets would make the team true contenders once again.