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Lakers offseason checklist: 4 MUST-DO moves for LA this summer

By Jason Reed

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Trade Russell Westbrook

A lot of the issues with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season start with the Russell Westbrook trade. Westbrook does not even deserve all of the blame personally as he is not the one who traded himself to the Lakers. Pelinka knew exactly what he was getting when trading for Westbrook.

Westbrook’s massive salary kept the team from putting quality depth around LeBron James and Anthony Davis (not to mention the depth the team traded to get Westbrook). It was also clear very early on that Westbrook was not going to change his playstyle to fit with LeBron and AD, which should not have been a surprise.

Westbrook is now trying to play victim saying that Los Angeles never welcomed him. The fact of the matter is that no superstar in the NBA has gotten as much help as Westbrook has in his career and done so little. The former MVP has played with three fellow MVPs and another two All-NBA players (Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal) and has won exactly one playoff series since Kevin Durant left OKC.

Things are not going to magically change next season if Westbrook is still on the team. All of the same issues that plagued the team this season will plague the team next season. It is critical that the Lakers find a way to get Westbrook off the team, and ideally, do so without taking back John Wall.

Moving Westbrook is far from a guarantee this summer as he is a massive sunk cost as an asset but it is, unfortunately, the most important move the Lakers could make.

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