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3 reasons why Lakers’ Russell Westbrook trade was an absolute heist

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Lakers acquired two young role players for essentially nothing

If the Lakers would have just traded a first-round pick to go from Russell Westbrook to D’Angelo Russell it would not have been a great trade. Russell has some Westbrook tendencies to his game and while he is a better shooter, he is arguably an even worse defender.

But that is not what the Lakers did. Los Angeles was able to bring in two role players alongside Russell to replace non-factors in the trade in Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones. The best part? The Lakers pulled this off without really giving up anything for the young players.

Think about it. The Lakers traded Westbrook, a future first-round pick (which was going to have to be moved with Westbrook anyway) and a future second-round pick that was not even theirs. LA landed two promising young role players for an additional second-round pick.

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Beasley and Vanderbilt are not perfect role players and to be frank, I am lower on them than most Lakers fans are. Beasley is another guard who isn’t great at defending and while Vanderbilt is really good defensively, he is essentially a non-factor on offense.

But they are young, are under team control for one more season each, and could be part of a long-term game plan for the Lakers. Los Angeles wanted to get younger and actually have some roster turnover and they may have that now with Beasley, Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura.

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