Famed analyst Nick Wright strongly believes that the LA Lakers may make it to the convention finals in the event that they commerce Russell Westbrook. The 77th NBA season has began and folks imagine the Lakers can flip issues round in the event that they make the fitting strikes.

Nick Wright has made some daring claims up to now, however not as daring as his most up-to-date tackle the Lakers. On “First Issues First,” Wright courageously acknowledged that the group has an opportunity at making it to the Western Convention Finals. It did include a catch, although:

“If the Lakers commerce Russ, they’re making the Western Convention Finals over the Clippers.”

Wright’s claims would positively shock many. On paper, the LA Clippers have a deeper roster and Kawhi Leonard’s return will likely be an enormous enhance for them this season. Whereas buying and selling Westbrook may set the Lakers on the fitting course, it is unclear which group is prepared to commerce for the previous MVP, given his enormous contract.

Russell Westbrook is coming off a poor 2021-22 marketing campaign the place he grew to become the Lakers’ scapegoat. Final season was additionally troublesome for the Lakers as they did not have Anthony Davis and LeBron James for almost all of the season.

As of now, not many groups are prepared to have interaction with the Lakers for Westbrook, so their choices are restricted. One possibility may very well be to simply accept the preliminary proposal from the Indiana Pacers. Over the summer season, the Pacers and the Lakers had been rumored to have mentioned a possible commerce involving Westbrook in change for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.

Nonetheless, the Lakers weren’t positive if they need to embody a future draft decide within the deal. This commerce may assist the Lakers with their inside issues and will additionally give the group a much-needed risk from outdoors.

Aside from that, there does not appear to be every other appropriate package deal for Westbrook in the mean time.

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Why Russell Westbrook is not going to slot in any position with the Lakers

All through his profession, Russell Westbrook has been recognized for his excessive depth fashion of play. His ardour for the sport has by no means been questioned due to this.

Nonetheless, his fast-paced, open-court fashion of play does not appear to mix nicely within the Lakers’ system. The group is specializing in constructing round Anthony Davis and making him the primary man on offense. On account of this, the nine-time All-Star appears to be misplaced with how he performs. He does not play badly, he simply cannot slot in with the remainder.

The Lakers are partly accountable for this case. They assembled a group with a plethora of level guards who’re all unreliable shooters from outdoors. Moreover, Westbrook is a ball-dominant celebrity and cannot be efficient with out the ball. Equally, LeBron James is similar sort of participant and he is extra invaluable to the group than Russ.

It is all as much as Darvin Ham as to how he’ll combine Russell Westbrook into his system.