Los Angeles Lakers: Free-agent targets to complement Russell Westbrook

While anything can happen in the wild world of the NBA, it is becoming more and more clear that Russell Westbrook will start the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. This does not mean that he will finish the year with the team but it looks like LA will run it back with last year’s core.

While disappointing for a lot of fans, there are several valid reasons for the Lakers to not trade Westbrook this offseason. Rob Pelinka and co. should probably be less stingy with potentially trading a future first to move him but it is better to do nothing than to force another bad trade to compound the issue.

Changes still need to me made, however. Westbrook needs to play less than he played last season. He needs a smaller role and Darvin Ham needs to be smarter than Frank Vogel in how to utilize that role.

The Los Angeles Lakers need to be smart about who they are bringing in if they keep Russell Westbrook.

We already broke down some contingeny plans that the Lakers could bring in with the intent of taking over for Westbrook if it is becomes clear early on that he is not going to help the team succeed.

However, that is not the only thing the Lakers should be targeting, as they also should be looking to bring in players that can complement Westbrook’s play style and make it easier for Westbrook to succeed. While he should be changing his game to help the Lakers, he cannot change it entirely.

Let’s dive into three free agents that could complement Westbrook nicely. And of course, because of the Lakers’ salary situation, each option should theoretically be available on a league-minimum contract.