Los Angeles Lakers: Why Russell Westbrook to LA is not happening

Sep 8, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris (88) during the first half of game three in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris (88) during the first half of game three in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images – Los Angeles Lakers

1. He is 32 and the Lakers should look to pair a younger third star with AD for when LeBron starts to slow down

If the first two reasons weren’t enough to steer clear. Well here’s a third reason to avoid a Westbrook trade. His age will start to play a big factor on his game soon.

Westbrook is still a superstar, he’s one of the best in the game and one of the most athletic players in NBA history. The problem is his game relies a lot on athleticism. So once that goes, your game needs to start changing and playing a different way.

Players become shooters and slow their games down to compensates. Westbrook constantly shoots under 30% from 3-point range. So he will start to rely on his passing, which is really good but at $47 million in three years will it be worth it?

The Lakers need to go younger for a third star. Whether it’s going into 2021 with a shot at Giannis Antetokounmpo or someone else. That should be the goal.

LeBron will eventually start to wear down. With AD going into his prime, the team needs to bring in another guy to run with him. So when LeBron wears down and starts to look at retirement one day, the team is set with AD and another star.

AD is 27 and someone around that age or younger would be good. As LeBron will be 40 in four years and AD might be playing his best basketball by that time.