Lake Show Life
Fansided

3 Lakers (not named Russell Westbrook) that could be traded this season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on October 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on October 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Los Angeles Lakers’ brief momentum was squashed on Friday night by the Utah Jazz, giving the Lake Show a 2-6 record early on in the season. While the overall record has been poor for the Lakers, there is at least something there for the team to work with as the year goes on.

Most notably, Russell Westbrook has seemingly been rebirthed after moving to the bench and being the team’s sixth man. Westbrook is playing the best basketball that he has played in the purple and gold and if he is buying into this role then the Lakers need to let it ride.

And no, he shouldn’t get more minutes. The entire reason why this is working is that he is coming off the bench and is limited to spurts. Those suddenly asking for Westbrook to play more are ignoring the entire reason why this is working.

However, for the time being, the Lakers’ front office might be looking for trades that don’t involve Westbrook. There is no doubt that this roster needs to improve, and thus, the team could end up moving on from other players before Russ.

Here are 3 Lakers not named Russell Westbrook that could be traded this season:

1. Max Christie

This one is not that big of a name but it would not be shocking at all if the Lakers traded their second-round pick from the 2022 NBA Draft. He obviously will not be the focal point of any trade but he is an easy player to throw into a bigger deal for more value.

The Lakers do not want to trade future second-round picks and if a team asks for Max Christie as the icing on the cake of a certain deal then it is hard to see Los Angeles saying no, even if they did just use a second-round pick on him.

The Christie pick was doomed to fail from the start. Los Angeles needed someone who could contribute right away and to get that, the team should have drafted someone who was older and more polished. Instead, they drafted a 19-year-old guard to get buried in an already deep roster at guard.

By the time Christie develops as a pro, he probably won’t be in Los Angeles, anyway.

Home/Lakers News