We've already reached the midway point of the season and yet the Los Angeles Lakers continue to struggle as a unit. Russell Westbrook has been one of the biggest disappointments for LA thus far, and at this point, the rumors about a potential trade away from the Lakers continue to rumble on for the former league MVP.

Westbrook recently opened up about his current predicament as well as that of his team. According to the nine-time All-Star, he fully understands what he needs to do to help the Lakers get out of the deep hole they have found themselves in:

“We’re all trying to figure it out as a team, as a unit, to be able to say, ‘Ok, how can we figure this out?’” Westbrook said, via Sam Amick of The Athletic. “And I know I’m the one who has got to make the biggest sacrifice — and I understand that — so I’ve got to be able to figure out a way to be able to make the best out of it and make the best for this team and that’s it.”

To be clear, Westbrook isn't talking about a trade here. He's not presenting himself as a sacrificial lamb for the Lakers here as the team looks to make a few changes with the trade deadline approaching. What Russ is saying here is that he knows that he's the one who has to take the biggest step back in order for LA to be able to finally find success with their new-look team. Westbrook has always been a superstar in every squad he's played in, but now that he's with the Lakers, it's necessary for him to concede this role to the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Russ went on to admit, however, that despite already spending several months with the Lakers, he honestly has yet to determine how he can best help his team:

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“Trying to figure it out,” Westbrook said. “I mean, we still don’t have the answer. We done changed the way we play a couple times (laughs). Just for me, it’s trying to figure out the best way to be able to implement how I play the game with this team.”

Time is quickly running out on the Lakers, who recently slipped out of the playoffs picture out West. At 21-21 and sitting at the ninth spot in the conference, LA will need to see a significant improvement as a unit in the immediate future if they hope to keep their championship hopes alive.