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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 ways Russell Westbrook would help the Lakers

By Jonathan Kiernan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 18: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards reacts during the first half of a game in the play-in tournament against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 18: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards reacts during the first half of a game in the play-in tournament against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers’ trade scenario to land Russell Westbrook

If the Washington Wizards were to move on from Bradley Beal, they would very much be in rebuild mode.

While they do not receive a player back who matches Westbrook’s level of talent, they do get two players who fit their potential rebuild timeline, while also receiving a cost-effective big man and wing role player.

If Westbrooks contract was in the $25-$30m range, the Lakers would be forced to fork over numerous 1st round picks, young assets, and key players to make a deal work, but with Westbrook being owed over $90m over the next 2 seasons and the Wizards in no position to compete for a championship, they will be looking to shed his massive contract in favor of numerous players who will fit a role for the franchise going forward.

This role will be to provide veteran leadership to the young prospects coming through and allowing the youngsters to slowly develop rather than thrusting them into the deep end too soon.

Players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marc Gasol are perfect for this role. Both players are NBA champions, both have years of experience under their belt in the NBA, both are intelligent and at this stage of their careers are comfortable in a starting role and coming off the bench.

Gasol would be the perfect veteran to help the likes of Thomas Bryant and Daniel Gafford develop.

Alfonzo McKinnie would be added to the deal for salary purposes but he also could provide some bench minutes.

Dennis Schröder allows for the Wizards to get a point guard to replace Westbrook.  If the Wizards decide to draft a point guard of the future, they could use Schröder as a stop-gap point guard.

Dennis has experience both starting and coming off the bench, making it easy for the Wizards to be interchangeable with their starters if the potential young point guard develops quicker than expected, if not, they have a starting-caliber point guard under contract for 3 seasons.

So what does Russell Westbrook bring to the Lakers?

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