The Los Angeles Lakers still roster Russell Westbrook, but the veteran point guard may not be in Hollywood long based on the latest trade buzz.
On Monday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the Lakers are “seriously contemplating” a blockbuster trade and that Los Angeles and the Indiana Pacers discussed trades throughout the summer involving Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. Some deals centered around just Turner, while others had Hield as the centerpiece.
What derailed a potential agreement? The Pacers weren’t willing to send the Lakers second-round picks to level out the draft capital involved in the deal.
While that part of the report was maddening, it’s refreshing to hear Los Angeles is seemingly hard at work trying to improve the roster while offloading Westbrook, whose feast-or-famine tendencies (mostly famine at this stage of his career) are a brutal fit for a team that wants to compete for a championship.
In the meantime, though, Westbrook is keeping his head down and participating in Lakers training camp. The former MVP deserves credit for conducting himself like a professional amidst all the trade buzz, but this shocking highlight from camp just encapsulates why LA is working around the clock to move him.
No way pic.twitter.com/UXKFU2OfoG
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) October 2, 2022
Russell Westbrook air-balled an open three at Lakers training camp.
Westbrook air-balling an uncontested three is unfortunately a common sight. The Lakers reportedly wanted to get Russ more looks from the corner this year after he was surprisingly efficient on corner threes last season. While a passable strategy, this is the absolute last thing Lakers fans want to see.
We’re all aware Westbrook is capable of taking over a game on any given night, but taking pull-up threes from the top of the key is NOT what the doctor ordered. If you were to power rank Lakers players you want shooting from there, Westbrook would fall somewhere near the bottom after he shot 29.8% on threes in 2021-22.
Literally do anything else, Russ. Drive to the basket and try to draw a foul or kick out to an open teammate. If the point guard was hell-bent on getting a shot up on this possession, then take a few dribbles and pull up from the elbow.
We seriously hope Rob Pelinka’s patience (some would say stubbornness) pays off. Charania’s report also noted that “Westbrook slightly refined his shooting form this summer, and sources say his catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage has been improved in workouts and scrimmages.”
Certainly didn’t look like it in this clip!
3 marksmen that could snag the final Lakers roster spot
There is one more spot on the Los Angeles Lakers roster for the team to fill and it could be filled by any one of these three marksmen.
Let’s hope this video isn’t a sign of things to come for the Lakers because they’ll be in a world of trouble if Westbrook starts to develop confidence in his jumper.