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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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Dec 27, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Los Angeles 112-96. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Los Angeles 112-96. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: The Package to Get Russ

One of the things that’s been mentioned a couple times in making this list is the effects that a trade for Westbrook would have on the current young core of the Lakers. The reason for that would be that all reports and rumors regarding a potential trade between LA and OKC say something along the lines of the Thunder wanting D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and some array of picks to think about dealing Westbrook.

To be clear, Westbrook is better than Russell or Ingram and his peaks are almost surely better than even Russell’s ceiling if he continues to develop—which shouldn’t be taken as a slight of D’Lo. However, the problematic part of such a package is the fact that it takes away the opportunity for the Lakers to see that what Russell, Ingram, and future picks develop into. It essentially mortgages the risk a franchise takes on top prospects in the hopes that become a franchise player for a shorter run with a known commodity.

While that may seem intriguing from a win-now mentality, that’s not the successful mentality in today’s NBA, especially for a team in the Lakers current situation. Even if Russell and Ingram don’t turn into the ideal versions of themselves as basketball players, the Lakers robbing themselves of the opportunity to find that out in a trade that will not make them title contenders is actually the riskiest decision of all. You can’t blame the Thunder for that asking price, but it is indeed almost too much to ask from the Lakers.

Next: Pro No. 3

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