Lakers will not use 1st-round draft choose to trade Russell Westbrook
According to several sources, the Los Angeles Lakers have no plans to give up a very first-round draft choose to trade Russell Westbrook. Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, teams have been inquiring for Westbrook, and the interested basic managers are also seeking a minimum of 1 first-round draft choose as well. Nonetheless, the Lakers front workplace will not let it take place.
“Teams have been demanding the inclusion of at least a single first-round initial to take on Westbrook’s huge expiring contract, according to league sources,” said Buha. “As of now, they have no intention of making use of a very first-round pick to facilitate a Westbrook trade, according to league sources.”
“And it’s not merely a bluff or tactic to attempt to regain leverage in trade talks. That might be an ancillary motive, sure, but per league sources, there is a sentiment among some inside the franchise that the proper coach and better supporting cast could smooth more than Westbrook’s awkward match with James and Davis.”
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Teams have been demanding the inclusion of at least one 1st-round choose to take on Russell Westbrook, sources inform @jovanbuha.
What ought to the Lakers do?https://t.co/7GiMR8otNE pic.twitter.com/ELoxxH2wrX
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) Could 25, 2022
In addition, Buha’s report makes sense. The Lakers are currently searching for a new head coach. Their obtainable coaching candidates list contains Darvin Ham, Terry Stotts and Kenny Atkinson. Ham is the frontrunner for the position. Not to mention, a couple of reports recommended that Los Angeles would attempt to steal Doc Rivers away from Philadelphia.
Plus, a trade for a coach could occur. In 2013, Rivers was traded by the Celtics to the Clippers. Likewise, Stan Van Gundy was traded by the Heat to the Magic in 2007. Nonetheless, contemplating the Lakers are refusing to surrender a 1st-round draft pick to trade Westbrook, the front office would possibly decline any other trade if forced to give up a first for Rivers. Just a believed.
The Lakers, Russell Westbrook and his pricey contract
In addition, the primary problem with trading Russell Westbrook is his salary. The nine-time All-Star’s player choice for the 2022-23 season is $47,063,478. This is why teams are asking for at least one particular first-round draft pick in return. A team that trades for the triple-double king would have to settle for rookie and minimum-salary contracts in order to afford Westbrook’s hefty salary.
Even if the Lakers find a competent coach, some could argue that LeBron James is the team’s accurate player-coach-basic manager. He has far more than a say when it comes to personnel choices. Apart from, how will a new head coach help improve the chemistry in between James, Westbrook and Davis? That’s the question G.M. Rob Pelinka must ask himself.
In the 2021-22 normal season, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. It was his lowest offensive production scoring-sensible because the 2009-10 season, when he averaged 16.1 points per game. Although his scoring overall performance dropped off with the Wizards, at least he averaged a profession-higher 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. Really a couple of fans can’t see the Lakers winning a championship with Westbrook.
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