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Lakers must avoid trading Russell Westbrook for this player at all costs

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: LeBron James #6 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk on the sideline after Westbrook was called for a technical foul on the bench in the third quarter of their preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-115. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: LeBron James #6 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk on the sideline after Westbrook was called for a technical foul on the bench in the third quarter of their preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-115. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have not started the season on a positive note with three consecutive losses under their belt. With two elite players on the roster and a fanbase that expects winning basketball, the pressure is already on Rob Pelinka and the front office.

The elephant in the room is Russell Westbrook and the more this season slips away from the Lakers the more likely the team is to make a panic trade and send Westbrook packing. While this would be to the delight of many fans, Pelinka has to assure that he isn’t trading future assets away to make a mediocre team just marginally better.

As bad as Westbrook has been, it would be a disaster to trade two future first-round picks to elevate the Lakers from being the 10th seed to a sixth seed that loses in the second round. That is why the front office has taken its time with a deal.

Regardless of what happens, there is one player that the Lakers should absolutely never trade Russell Westbrook for. It does not matter how ugly it gets. If this is the only option available, the Lakers should just pay Westbrook to stay home.

The Los Angeles Lakers should resist trading Russell Westbrook for Kyle Lowry.

Kyle Lowry could be a trade candidate for the Miami Heat if things continue to go bad down the stretch. Miami may see an opportunity to get draft capital and more financial freedom by trading Lowry, making Westbrook a plausible target for them if things continue to go downhill.

But that is just it: it has been really ugly for Lowry this season as well. Los Angeles must avoid simply buying into the big-name hype (like they did with Westbrook) when it comes to Lowry.

All that being said, some NBA pundits still think it would be a good trade if the two teams swapped Westbrook and Lowry. It would definitely be good for one team and that one team is not the Los Angeles Lakers.

First of all, the Lakers are not getting much better with Lowry on the team. In fact, the same problems that exist with Westbrook will be present with Lowry. Lowry is naturally a better leader and has more defensive IQ than Westbrook but the offensive problems would be the same.

The spacing would still be a problem. Lowry is not as bad as Westbrook when it comes to his three-point shot but he isn’t necessarily a marksman, either. It would be marginally better, but not nearly enough to justify the trade.

If they were both on expiring deals and it didn’t cost the Lakers draft capital it would be one thing but this is not a fantasy land. Even if Miami did not ask for draft picks it would make little sense for LA to make this move. They would be turning a one-year problem into a two-year problem by taking on Lowry’s $29.6 million cap hit next season.

If Rob Pelinka wants to continue digging the franchise’s grave then go for it. Otherwise, this makes absolutely no sense.

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