Many fans are hoping that the current version of the Los Angeles Lakers is not the team that begins the 2022-23 season. While not much can be done via free agency, there is a massive trade looming over LA’s head that would completely change the dynamic of the team.
That trade is obviously a Kyrie Irving trade. The Brooklyn Nets seem to be imploding and the Lakers, as the only team interesting in Kyrie Irving, is looking to take advantage. This is a perfect way for the Lakers to not only add a star player but get rid of Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook has been a disaster in LA thus far and it is clear that the Lakers are not going to win much as long as he is on the roster. He simply clashes with the dynamic that the team has and has not shown a willingness to change his game.
Not only is Russell Westbrook’s play poor, but he made other Lakers worse last season.
The kind of player that Russ is both in how he demands the basketball and what he can and can’t do as a player has a direct impact on other players on his team. That is why the Lakers were so disappointing last season: Westbrook himself played poorly and made others around him worse as well.
Quite frankly, you could make the case that the entire team would benefit from Westbrook being traded. Kyrie Irving is not a perfect player but he does not have the same problems that Westbrook has.
But when it really boils down to it, there are two players in particular who should be celebrating the most if Westbrook ends up getting dealt for Kyrie.