Russell Westbrook’s early performance versus Bucks proves Lakers should trade him

The 2022 NBA trade deadline is less than two days away and the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make a move. The 26-28 Lakers are in ninth place in the West and are at risk of dropping another game but this time against the Bucks. Los Angeles didn’t get off to a good start and neither did Russell Westbrook.

In the two team’s past 10 matchups, the Lakers are 2-8. Los Angeles was down by 14 at the end of the first quarter, 36-24.

Westbrook played in 10 minutes before he was benched after not scoring (0-of-4) and turning the ball over twice. He did pull down five rebounds which was two more than Anthony Davis’ total.

If the Lakers want to have a chance to go above .500, Rob Pelinka needs to seriously consider a Westbrook trade. The triple-double king has struggled all season and isn’t a good fit in Los Angeles’ roster.

Should the Los Angeles Lakers trade Russell Westbrook?

LeBron James and Los Angeles aren’t going to be meeting up with teams like the Knicks in the playoffs (if the Lakers make it to that point). The team’s last win came against New York last Saturday night in overtime and even with the James-Anthony duo, Los Angeles had to claw its way back into the game and escaped with a seven-point win.

The Lakers’ schedule dealt them a contest against the defending champions three nights later and as of right now, Los Angeles doesn’t have an answer for Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The duo combined for 44 points in the first half, 12 points less than the purple and gold’s total points.

It’s hard to count out a team that features James and Anthony but the Lakers don’t have enough power to make it over the hill that they’ve been struggling to climb up all year.

Trading for Westbrook was supposed to be a dream come true but it’s had the opposite effect. He’s averaging 18.4 points (the lowest for him since 2009-10), 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 4.1 turnovers per game. The Los Angeles native is shooting 43.7% from the field and 30% from the 3-point line.

Frank Vogel benched the point guard as the Lakers closed out the game against the Knicks. Westbrook finished with six assists, five points (1-of-10), four rebounds, and four assists in 29 minutes.

A similar situation could take place on Tuesday night. Los Angeles is down 78-56 to Milwaukee at the half and Westbrook has six points (2-of-8), five rebounds, four assists, and two turnovers in 17 minutes.