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

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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Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook is an elite playmaker

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it very clear this off-season. They would like to lighten the load for LeBron James going into year 19.

LeBron since coming to the Lakers has been heavily relied upon to be the playmaker for the purple and gold. Rightfully so.

LBJ has been nothing short of spectacular as the Lakers point of attack, but at 36, it is time the Lakers put a player next to LeBron who can more than adequately relieve  LeBron of the duties when the time and occasion call for it.

Hate on Westbrook all you want, he is one of the best playmakers in the entire NBA. Westbrook finished the year as the league’s assist leader with a whopping 11.7APG. LeBron James lead the league 2019-20 with 10.2 APG. This year he averaged a still excellent 7.8APG.

Put two elite playmakers on one team and something potentially beautiful might come out of it.

Once again, lightening the load for LeBron is a huge reason why the Lakers should trade for Russell Westbrook.

If Russ can come to the Lakers and make LeBron James’ life significantly easier then they should absolutely do it.

There are very few players in the league that the Lakers can afford that will bring not just bring a similar scoring output as LeBron but also a similar assist output.

Westbrook does that.

Westbrook and Davis in a pick and roll game have the potential to be devastating.

Watching LeBron James and Russell Westbrook race down the floor at the same time will cause opposing defenses to shake in their boots.  Both can race to the rim. LeBron is like a freight train, Westbrook like a bullet train. If you are an opposing player trying to stop them, they are both equally amazing passers that they can make the right decision and pass the ball out to a player for a wide-open shot, or even just pass it to each other for a monster slam in transition.