Los Angeles Lakers Have Made An Egregious Error By Not Trading Russell Westbrook

The Los Angeles Lakers are 0-3 and somehow appear to be destined for a similar fate compared to last season.

After landing in the lottery with a playoff-less 33-49 record last season, the Lakers might actually be worse this season. And it’s not coming to an end until Los Angeles trades Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have had their opportunities at unloading Westbrook in potential deals with the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz. However, the team has balked at the idea of dealing two first-round draft picks (2027 and 2029) in any deal that would involve parting with Westbrook.

What it has resulted in as an absolutely ugly start to the season, with Westbrook now appearing to be even worse than he was last season.

Through the first three games, Westbrook is averaging just 10.3 points and 4.3 assists per game on a putrid 28.9 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from beyond the arc. In the matter of a year since making his debut with the Lakers, Westbrook not only appears to be a shell of his former self, his aggressiveness and confidence appears to be waning the longer he remains in Los Angeles.

After the Lakers lost a game to the Portland Trail Blazers — they led by eight points in the fourth quarter — Westbrook was at the center of Los Angeles’ blown lead. Not only were the Lakers outscored 16-7 once Westbrook was re-inserted for the final five minutes of the game, he missed two key jumpers — including one with 18 seconds left on the shot clock and 30.4 seconds remaining in the game.

The Lakers happened to be leading 102-101 at that point.

Even head coach Darvin Ham hinted after the game that he wished Westbrook would have simply drove it, rather than settling for the jumper.

“I just wished he had attacked the rim,” Ham said.

Suffice to say, Los Angeles lost the game because of Westbrook.

This Lakers team isn’t great. They don’t have a single great shooter. In fact, if Westbrook wasn’t in the equation, Los Angeles would probably be battling for one of the Western Conference’s last playoff spots, at best.

But while it’s clear the Lakers have many problems outside of Westbrook, it’s very clear that he’s their biggest problem. His play is not helping the team, his presence certainly isn’t and his lack of accountability for his and the team’s struggles is simply creating a toxic environment.

“Obviously, there’s some sense of urgency,” Davis said after practice on Tuesday, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “You don’t want to dig yourself too big of a hole. But we’ve got to stay even-keeled. We can’t get rattled or flustered and things like that. Just like if we win 12 in a row. We don’t want to get too high.”

The Lakers made a major mistake when they acquired Westbrook. That has been known for quite some time. But the even bigger mistake has been allowing this Westbrook era to continue long past its expiration date. We knew it was a disaster early on last season. Why are the Lakers allowing it to continue into the 2022-23 season?

For whatever reason, general manager Rob Pelinka has decided to play hardball when it comes to Los Angeles’ first-round draft picks at the end of the decade. Here’s the problem — the Lakers are trying to win now.

The franchise has never been about stockpiling draft picks and building through the draft. Los Angeles has always been a team that builds through free agency and attracts major established stars. Case in point? The Lakers feature LeBron James — acquired via free agency — and Anthony Davis — acquired via trade — on its roster.

During the first season that James and Davis teamed up together, they delivered the franchise its first title in a decade. That was a team that ran the James and Davis pick-and-roll to death while relying on a stingy defense and decent 3-point shooting to a championship.

It’s not a complicated formula. The Lakers don’t need a third star, which is what they envisioned when they acquired Westbrook. They simply need the right players.

Westbrook isn’t the right player. However, trading Westbrook to the Jazz for players like Mike Conley and Rudy Gay is certainly better than what the Lakers are featuring right now.

Had the Lakers dealt Westbrook to the Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, we’re looking at a 2-1 team through three games. We’re also looking at a team that would actually be a decent playoff threat in a stacked Western Conference.

Instead, the Lakers are destined to suffer more of these types of losses as morale continues to decline with each passing day that Westbrook is on the roster.

The franchise is wasting what’s left of James’ career and what’s remaining of Davis’ prime by hoarding their draft picks.

Get rid of Westbrook, unload the draft picks and surround James and Davis with a competent supporting cast that gives them a chance of contending.

Enough is enough — it’s time to trade Westbrook.