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3 keys to the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship in 2023

By Jason Reed

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Get a backup plan for Russell Westbrook and get him off the team

Russell Westbrook is going to be on the Los Angeles Lakers to start the 2022-23 season as the team does not want to trade a first-round pick to get him off the books. That is fine. The Lakers are going to have to take on similar salaries anyway and will be just as restricted in who they can bring in even if they trade Westbrook.

The Lakers can give him his chances too. See if he comes into the 2022-23 season with a refreshed mindset and more willingness to change his game for the betterment of the team. When he ultimately proves that he is not interested in that, because he has given us no reason to think he will be, the team can move on from him.

That might not even be a salary-dump trade at the deadline, although it does become much more likely in February to trade him than it is in July. The Lakers can simply buy him out and if he does not want to agree to that they can send him home.

One thing is for certain with the Los Angeles Lakers next season: if Russell Westbrook is on the team then they are not winning a championship. Period.

The Lakers need to find a point guard who can take over starting duties eventually (there are free-agent options who could do just that) and should eventually cut ties with Westbrook once the going gets tough and they don’t need the depth or distraction any longer.

Westbrook is not going to change. Let’s not expect that he will.

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