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Lakers Rumors: Pros and Cons of Trading for Russell Westbrook

By Cody Williams

Feb 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates a basket and a foul against the San Antonio Spurs after scoring in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates a basket and a foul against the San Antonio Spurs after scoring in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: He’s Just Russell Westbrook

Let’s be clear that this isn’t to diminish the talent and skills of Russell Westbrook in any manner. He’s simply incredible when he’s on the floor and, as just discussed, can do things that others can’t from his position. However, even Westbrook can’t do it alone and there’s at least somewhat of a sample size to prove just that.

In the 2014-15 season, the Thunder struggled mightily due to injuries. Westbrook himself went down in the second game of the season while Kevin Durant played only 27 games on the year. That being said, there were only 29 full games on the entire year where Westbrook played without Durant for OKC. In those games, Westbrook was indeed phenomenal as he averaged 31.6 points, 9.7 assists, 8.4 rebounds, and two steals per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 32.2 percent from three.

But the most important “stat” of all is that the Thunder went only 16-13 over that stretch of games.

The point being that even a player as tremendously talented as Westbrook can’t do it alone. While the pieces like Deng and Mozgov become much more attractive with Russ in the fold, the trade would still leave the Lakers with essentially Westbrook and a bunch of other guys. Though attractive in its own right, that’s problematic.

Next: Pro No. 2

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