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With the 2021/22 campaign winding down, it's safe to say the Russell Westbrook experiment hasn't worked at all for the Los Angeles Lakers. The future Hall of Famer is struggling to produce at the level we've gotten so used to seeing over the years, despite being able to play in his hometown.
At the trade deadline, the Lakers actually tried to do a swap with the Houston Rockets for John Wall because his contract is almost a carbon copy of Westbrook's. However, LA was unwilling to include a first-round pick. Nevertheless, there's reportedly a feeling of mutual interest between the organization and Russ that a move needs to be made this offseason.
Via Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report:
In any case, there is mutual interest in finding Westbrook a new home this summer, sources said.
The Lakers' trade deadline discussions with the Houston Rockets for a potential Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap didn't generate significant traction, sources said, as the Lakers were resistant to including their 2027 first-round pick in any deal to offload Westbrook's salary. League observers have pointed to this offseason as a greater opportunity for the Lakers to shed Westbrook's contract, when they will be eligible to move their 2029 first-round pick.
As Fischer noted, the Lakers could stretch Westbrook's $47 million player option for 2022-23, have him opt-in, then waive him. Even though they'd be on the books for $15 million across the next three seasons, it's still a way for LA to get rid of Russ. Not cheap, though.
First, we'll see if he can maybe turn things around and help the Lakers make a bit of a run in the playoffs if they get there.
