Lakers: 3 free agents who can be contingency plans for Russell Westbrook

By Jason Reed | May 30, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits for a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

1. Ricky Rubio

Signing Ricky Rubio would be the definition of a contingency plan for the Los Angeles Lakers. If Rubio was heading into the offseason completely healthy then the Lakers would not even have the chance to sign him. While he is past his prime, Rubio is more valuable than a minimum signing.

However, Rubio tore his ACL last season and his recovery should go into the 2022-23 season. He should return with plenty of time to get healthy for the playoffs but that injury likely limits his market to a one-year minimum deal that he can turn into a new contract next summer.

The latest Rubio would likely return is January of 2023 with a November/December return being more likely. That is enough time for the Lakers to try Westbrook with Darvin Ham as the head coach, ease Rubio into bigger minutes once he returns and eventually either make the trade at the deadline or tell Westbrook to go home.

As long as his recovery goes as planned, Rubio should be able to fill in for Westbrook, and quite frankly, would be a better fit on this team than Westbrook is. Rubio could be a better version of Rajon Rondo from 2020 and if the Lakers get that out of him it would be a massive win.

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