“They will trade him when 2 weeks are left” Alex Speers reveals how the Lakers are trying to get rid of Russell Westbrook
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Alex Speers talks about LA Lakers plan to trade Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was at the receiving end of LA Lakers fans’ wrath. His poor performance let the team down in the 2022 season, as he failed to live up to the expectations of the mega-deal. The LA Lakers have been flirting with the idea of trading Russell Westbrook since the conclusion of the 2022 season but found no suitor for his heavy contract. However, Alex Speers of The Athletic considers that how the Lakers start next season could determine the former MVP’s stint in LA.
Speaking on the Athletic NBA Show, Speer claims that Los Angeles Lakers would give 9-time All-star a 2-week period to prove himself again and then decide on his future with the organization. After a rather uncharacteristically disastrous 1st season with the Lakers, Westbrook’s trade value may be at an all-time low. This would force the Lakers to wait and see how things would proceed in the 2023 season. But the wait won’t be much longer considering their aspirations, LeBron’s period with the franchise, and quickly fluctuating scenarios.
Reacting to the same Speers said, “If they don’t trade him by opening night, I think they will be trading him within two weeks from the start of the season. Their opening schedule is kind of brutal; at Golden State, Clippers, Portland, at Denver, at Minnesota, Denver, the Pelicans,”
Not expecting much of positives from those mentioned fixtures, Speers consider that the Lakers would eventually trade Russell Westbrook. He added, “I’m predicting that if they don’t trade him by the opening game, within those first two weeks, by November 1st, there will be a Russell Westbrook trade because that opening schedule is setting them up for another disappointment. If they get up to another disappointing start again, the pressure is going to be insanely high.”
If we go by the schedule, Los Angeles Lakers have some of the toughest opponents in the conference right up, as they will face city rivals and encouraged LA Clippers on 20th Oct, and will have games against Portland Trail Blazers and on 18th Oct, they have reigning champions Golden State Warriors as 1st opponents of 2023 season. LA team had a rough start to last season but it was not a panic mode, but they will be entering the 2023 season already under pressure to deliver high-end performances.
How can Los Angeles Lakers replace Russell Westbrook?
Los Angeles Lakers already invested heavily in the 31-year-old guard as they traded their future picks and support cast players for him last offseason. The Lakers couldn’t get expected returns on their investment, and now again looking to make a mega trade, this time to get rid of Russell Westbrook. Theoretically, Russ has a very impressive resume, but he is hard to trade cause of his massive contract and recent failure.
The LA team tried to reunite Kyrie Irving and LeBron James looking at the shaky situation of the 30-year-old guard at the Nets. But they refused to send 2 future picks for Kyrie, and also the Nets have a more serious Kevin Durant-trade issue to deal with. Irving would have been an upgrade over Westbrook, as he did perform well for his team whenever he was on the court and also a like to like replacement position-wise. If the Lakers couldn’t find a suitable opportunity to tackle the Westbrook situation, they may go back to the Kyrie trade, with a better package to save the season.
While there are very few guards available in the free agency, Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dennis Schroder of the Houston Rockets are some cheaper alternatives available for the Lakers. The German star has played with the Lakers and LeBron James before. His current international form also could encourage the front office to make move for him, if commercials are met.
While young Sexton is a cheaper option, and would also be a great addition to the LeBron-Anthony Davis pairing. Collin Sexton averaged 16 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds per game last season and is a restricted free agent.
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)