Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Russell Westbrook will work in LA

3. The Los Angeles Lakers have the pieces around Russell Westbrook to succeed despite him

Let’s not forget that the Los Angeles Lakers have two of the 10-best players in the league and they just won a championship with those two players and arguably a worse supporting cast back in 2020. This goes back to the point that the Lakers do not need Westbrook to be incredible for them to win.

Let’s say Westbrook does not buy into what LeBron is selling him. Despite there being a clear path to success, Westbrook still does Westbrook things and tries to take over games in key moments and it leads to the team losing in big spots.

If that is the case, the Lakers can transition with Westbrook’s role as they still have the pieces around him to succeed. Of course, it would not go over with Westbrook himself but if he is showing the inability to be a reliable option in the end-game lineup then the Lakers can simply pivot and not include him.

Westbrook could essentially become the most overqualified sixth man in the league if that is what it takes. The Lakers have the depth around him where they can sit him in big moments if needed.

Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk is a really good scoring tandem to have in the backcourt and if the Lakers want to go big with a traditional center they can close with those two, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard.

If they want to go a bit more defensive they could do something along the lines of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kent Bazemore, Trevor Ariza, LeBron and AD. There are lineup options. That includes lineups without Westbrook.

The Los Angeles Lakers are not in a situation where they desperately need the best version of Westbrook to succeed, which has been true of his recent teams in the league. Westbrook as your no. 1 or 2 might be rough, but as a no. 3, he is more than fine.