2. Russell Westbrook
This is probably the name that you were expecting as Russell Westbrook is a massive name and is many fans’ choice for the reason why the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling so much this season. Westbrook not only fits poorly on this Lakers roster, but he has never been a winning player and his salary significantly hampered the team’s ability to build a complete roster.
The Lakers had to play Westbrook big minutes early on to try and figure out his fit on the roster and justify the decision of trading for him in the first place. However, nearly 75% into the season, it is clear that this simply is not working out and that the Lakers need to cut down his minutes, especially in crunch time.
We are already seeing this happen in recent games and now that the trade deadline has passed it should be happening more. Part of the solution might just be to bring in a backup point guard, like Dennis Schroder, who could cut into Westbrook’s minutes and potentially even play in crunch time.
It is not going to go over well with Westbrook but at this point why should that change the team’s mind. The Lakers obviously are not winning anything with Westbrook and they just have to figure out whatever they can to try and catch lightning in a bottle with LeBron and AD.
Westbrook is first on the team in total minutes played with 1,902 and is averaging 34.6 minutes per game. Quite frankly, that number should be down in the 26-27 range with the Lakers staggering the minutes where LeBron and AD can have more time on the floor with just them two.