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Lakers take subtle jab at Russell Westbrook with schedule release graphic

Mike Luciano|
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 131-120. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 131-120. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers may have a future Hall of Famer on the roster in Russell Westbrook, but they are still looking at every possible angle they can use to ditch him. The 2021-22 season confirmed that he is just not a good fit as a tertiary star behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

After Westbrook picked up his player option worth $47 million for next season, he threw himself right into the thick of Darvin Ham’s plans for the 2022-23 campaign. The rookie coach will need to figure out how to make use of Westbrook’s unique skillset.

If Rob Pelinka had his way, the Lakers would find some way to ditch Westbrook’s bloated contract and open up as much financial wiggle room as possible. This organization clearly does not want Westbrook around. Even their schedule graphics are excluding Russ.

The Lakers’ 2022-23 schedule release graphic had James and Davis featured prominently on it, but Westbrook was curiously missing. He was shown on last season’s graphic. While there is likely nothing nefarious going on, it is slightly disheartening to see just how far Westbrook’s star has fallen with LA.

The Lakers didn’t put Russell Westbrook on their schedule graphic.

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last year while making 44% of his shots, but his poor jump-shooting and tendency to take all sorts of ill-informed attempts contributed to Frank Vogel’s firing at the end of the season.

The Lakers have been trying to find someone that will eat Westbrook’s contract, but suitors seem to be very few and far between. The closest they appeared to come was getting Buddy Hield and Myles Turner from the Pacers, but those talks appear to have fizzled out.

On the one hand, it’s a bit unfair to pin everything on Westbrook. The lack of depth, injuries, and Vogel’s poor coaching all played a part in last year. Having said that, the fact that Westbrook refused to compromise or adapt his style of play and hurt the Lakers last year is inarguable.

Westbrook may be on his way out after James’ huge extension.

Westbrook can still contribute to an NBA team, but that will only come if he is allowed to play his usual ball-dominant style. Westbrook is not going to get that by sticking around and serving as an ineffective shooter alongside James.

At this point, Lakers Nation has to be waiting for that seismic Adrian Wojnarowski tweet notification to finally end Westbrook’s LA tenure.

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