Should the Lakers renew Russell Westbrook after what they saw in the 2021-22 season?
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to bet on Russell Westbrook in the offseason, making a change with which they bet their future on the luxury trio of him along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
After 34 games played in the 2021-22 NBA season, the balance is not the best for Westbrook. Beyond their irregular individual performance, the Lakers have not been able to show their best face and have lost the favoritism with which they started the season.
The Lakers should explore every possibility to trade Russell Westbrook. Russ will never win a championship with this aloof defense. Not to mention his reckless shot selection. And it’s been happening his whole career, even in big moments of playoff games. Russ will never change. https://t.co/fxQLhPwr1X
– Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 26, 2021
Fans and some experts have pointed to the 33-year-old point guard as the major culprit that Californians are down 16-18 and not fighting at the top of the rankings in the Western Conference. In addition to the 2021-22 season, he has only one year left on his contract and the questions about a possible renewal of his salary agreement are already beginning.
Including the current season, the Lakers are paying him $ 91.2 million, which places Westbrook as one of the most expensive players in the entire NBA. While he may be able to go for a slightly cheaper contract, his star status is unlikely to receive salaries of less than $ 30- $ 35 million.
Lakers acting head coach David Fizdale knows how much it means to Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/nkn1AhGtvS
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 26, 2021
The Lakers’ Big Three is sustainable only if there are sports results, but in the face of eventual failures it is very difficult for management to approve the renewal of Westbrook and they could even think about changing Anthony Davis, being a constant concern in terms of injuries.
Under this scenario, if the Lakers fail to do a good job in the postseason, not only could Westbrook become trade material, but incidentally it is very possible that he will not receive a new contract from the team thinking of him as a stone. angular for the future.
