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Lakers reportedly closing in on Russell Westbrook trade

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Fitzgerald | Last updated 7/29/21

The Los Angeles Lakers seem intent on shaking up their roster on the night of the NBA Draft, as they’re nearing a trade that would land them Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news of Westbrook’s impending arrival in LA, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski outlined the trade compensation:

Just in: The Lakers and Wizards are engaged on a trade that would send Russell Westbrook to L.A., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Westbrook wants a move elsewhere and the Lakers are his preferred destination, sources said.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 29, 2021

The Lakers are near a deal to acquire Washington's Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021

ESPN’s Bobby Marks pointed out how because of Kyle Kuzma’s inclusion in the package, the trade won’t be finalized until August 6:

This trade cannot be completed until the poison pill restriction on the Kyle Kuzma is lifted.

If agreed upon, this deal will be consummated on Aug. 6. https://t.co/fNVl8qPlsz
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 29, 2021

All signs point to Westbrook suiting up for his third different team in as many seasons following one-year stints with the Houston Rockets and Wizards respectively. He was with the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise before then.

But Westbrook played college basketball at UCLA and was born in Long Beach, California, so a homecoming to the Lakers has obvious appeal to him. It’s just a matter of whether the Purple and Gold could give up enough to get him, and it seems they were able to work it out.

The prospect of teaming up Westbrook with LeBron James and Anthony Davis is obviously tantalizing in terms of star power. Whether or not it’d translate to a championship is another matter.

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Westbrook is an inefficient perimeter shooter and thrives most as a ball-dominant guard. LeBron is at his best with the ball in his hands, and with lots of 3-point marksmen around him. Davis can dominate a game on any given night, yet struggles with consistency. His style of play can slow down the action, which doesn’t mesh with Westbrook’s skill set.

Just about all that’s left for Westbrook to accomplish in his decorated career is an NBA Finals triumph. LeBron and AD accomplished that in the Orlando bubble in 2020, but were banged up down the stretch of last season, resulting in a first-round exit at the hands of the eventual West champion Phoenix Suns.

Westbrook helped the Wizards rally to a playoff berth alongside Bradley Beal, but Washington parted ways with head coach Scott Brooks. Considering how close Westbrook is to Brooks dating back to their shared time in Oklahoma City, the writing was on the wall that the veteran floor general would leave the nation’s capital, too.

Will Westbrook ultimately work with the Lakers? It’ll be among the most fascinating storylines of the upcoming NBA season, that’s for sure.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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