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Lakers: 3 Reasons It’s Fine Russell Westbrook Isn’t Coming

By Cody Williams

May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the floor before action against the San Antonio Spurs in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the floor before action against the San Antonio Spurs in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. D’Angelo Russell Can Grow Into Whatever He’ll Become

Obviously keeping the young core of the Lakers together means that point guard D’Angelo Russell is going to remain in Los Angeles for the time being. While he may be a fantastic trade asset as a 20-year-old point guard that’s already proven he’s capable of having success at the NBA level, he’s also seemingly not even come close to reaching his potential. And as that also adds to his value as an asset, it should be comforting to Lakers fans now that any Westbrook trade isn’t going to happen.

As great as the flashes were that Russell showed as a rookie and as dominant as he was for the majority of Summer League this offseason, it doesn’t hold a candle to what he could eventually become in this league. A player with his size and creativity that is fostered in the right environment has the chance to be a perennial All-Star and great in this league.

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There is indeed a good chance that D’Angelo Russell will never be as good as Russell Westbrook—which isn’t a knock on the Ohio State product. However, the notion of keeping Russell while also retaining other assets and having him possibly develop into a star in his own right ultimately trumps the hypothetical notion of trading for Russ.

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