Lakers set deadline for Westbrook experiment
The Los Angeles Lakers have not started the season well, and are thinking about changing their lineup. Top of the list- what to do with Russell Westbrook.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered yet another loss on Sunday, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-104. The 0-3 start to the season is forcing them to take a long, hard look at what to do with Russell Westbrook, whose arrival at the team has been questioned since day one.
The 33-year-old guard is the center of attention in NBA transfer rumors. His contract (47 million dollars), his age, and the low level of performance he has shown so far this season, make it difficult to make him an enticing acquisition for other teams.
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The possible exchange with the Pacers, where both Buddy Hield and Myles Turner from Indiana and the first rounds of 2027 and 2029 from Los Angeles would be involved, did not materialize.
As Shams Charania of The Athletic reported, those in gold and purple will have new names on the table to reinforce the team in a season that promises to be complicated for the Lakers.
He also said that the board, headed by Lakers general manager Robert Pelinka, will give 20-25 test games to the current squad before making the appropriate changes.
Possible additions to the Lakers
As for the alternatives, the first one would be Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets. The 28-year-old player, without being a pure point guard, could be a strong reinforcement for Los Angeles. He is an experienced scorer who can be complemented by players like Patrick Beverley and LeBron James. He can also play shooting guard.
The journalist reports that the Lakers and the Hornets held talks last summer, discussing a possible transfer involving one or two more teams. North Carolina, without LaMelo Ball in the first few weeks of competition due to an ankle injury and with Miles Bridges out, are destined to be in the lower rungs of the East and have a chance of picking up Víctor Wembanyama, one of the most special young talents in recent decades.
Another player who could land in Los Angeles would be Josh Richardson of the San Antonio Spurs. The 29-year-old guard could become a valuable piece in the rotation thanks to his 3-and-D ability (good shooter and perimeter defender).
Richardson is averaging 13 points with 47% three-point shooting in the three games he has played this season. This success in the perimeter can be important as the Lakers currently lack it. The Los Angeles team has only scored 25 of the 118 triples attempted in the three losses, a 21% effectiveness rate.
After a poor start to the season, the Lakers are looking to change their pieces before it’s too late. Russell Westbrook, first off the exit ramp.