Los Angeles Lakers star guard Russell Westbrook was seen riding the pine during overtime of their win over the New York Knicks in Southern California Saturday evening.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel opted to sit Westbrook in favor of other players, Malik Monk included. This came after he shot just 1-of-10 from the field in regulation with Lakers fans inside Crypto.com Arena demanding he not shoot when the former NBA MVP had the ball in his hands. It was an ugly scene.
All of this comes after Vogel himself benched Westbrook in a game earlier in the season and amid rumors that the struggling Lakers are looking to trade their nine-time All-Star guard.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the Lakers will be able to move off Russell Westbrook ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
“It’s obvious they’re trying to move Westbrook, which is damn-near impossible. They know that roster’s just not working.”
Unnamed league executive to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com
Rumors had persisted that Los Angeles was talking with the Houston Rockets about a deal that would send John Wall to Southern California and Westbrook back to the Rockets. Houston was willing to take on the massive contract while buying Westbrook out. However, it wanted the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2027.
That’s not something Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka is willing to offer given the team’s lack of future first-round picks.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA trade rumors
Will the Los Angeles Lakers be able to trade Russell Westbrook?
It’s increasingly unlikely. Westbrook, 33, has a player option of $47.06 million for the 2021-22 season. Given how he’s struggled in his first year with the Lakers, it’s highly likely that the veteran guard will exercise said option. It’s one of the reasons that Russ’ contract is seen as an albatross around the NBA.
The other reason is major struggles on the part of the future Hall of Fame point guard. He just has not been the same player in Los Angeles, especially recently.
- Russell Westbrook stats (past 14 games): 16.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 40% shooting, 30% three-point
Following their win over the Knicks Saturday night, these Lakers find themselves at 26-28 on the season and as the ninth seed in the Western Conference. Both Anthony Davis and LeBron James have returned from recent injuries.
Despite this, there’s very little hope of contention in Los Angeles with the roster as it is currently constructed. Westbrook’s presence adds another layer to this.
“Russell plays hard and he’s always put up big numbers. But is he a winning player?”
Unnamed league executive to Steve Bulpett
Ouch!