The Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards agreed to a trade this week that would exchange Russell Westbrook and second-round picks in 2024 and 2028 for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
While the move was unquestionably a splashy one, many have wondered whether it will work out well for all parties involved. After all, L.A. badly needed shooting, and Westbrook is arguably the worst star guard in the league in that regard.
Although the Lakers still have a realistic path to adding Buddy Hield, who is great shooter, things could get messy if they don’t.
On Friday, ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins got brutally honest in his assessment of the trade that brought Westbrook home to L.A.
When asked if the Lakers can win the championship with the Westbrook addition, Perkins said:
“Asking me that question is like asking me if I’m going to finish my plate of food.
“The answer is ‘hell yeah!’ Russell Westbrook has never played with a big like Anthony Davis. Good luck to try to stop that pick and roll with Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis.. LeBron James needs Russell Westbrook for the simple fact that he’s getting up in age. Russell Westbrook is still 32, which means that he’s still in his prime… I see the Lakers coming out of the West, and I see them winning the title.”
That’s a bold prediction. The Lakers have a lot of strengths now with Westbrook, but they still have some very notable weaknesses.
Fortunately, three star veterans have signaled that they are willing to accept less money to join L.A. If they ultimately do all link up with the Lakers, it’ll go a long way in making Perkins’ prediction a reality.
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