Sep 28, 2021; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) answers questions during media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Was Wrong About Russell Westbrook

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:12 AM ET

Back in 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers made the big move to land Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards.

Westbrook helped form a big three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

At the time, Lakers legend Magic Johnson was a huge fan of the deal.

He wrote (on July 29, 2021): "Laker Nation, the blockbuster trade that’s bringing Russell Westbrook to the @Lakers is VERY exciting and will definitely make the Lakers a championship contender next season!"

Laker Nation, the blockbuster trade that’s bringing Russell Westbrook to the @Lakers is VERY exciting and will definitely make the Lakers a championship contender next season!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 30, 2021

Despite Johnson's high hopes, the Lakers finished their only full season with Westbrook as the 11th seed in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record.

They then traded him during the middle of the 2022-23 season.

The 2017 MVP finished his tenure with the Lakers averaging 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 43.4% from the field and 29.7% from the three-point range in 130 games (81 starts).

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: