The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping that Russell Westbrook will be able to bounce back after a rough first 2021-22 season with the team. Westbrook labored through arguably the worst season of his career with the Lakers last season, and has been involved in trade rumors ever since the beginning of the offseason. Count ESPN's Stephen A. Smith among those who believe that he could be set for a bounce back season with the Lakers this upcoming season.

Smith was discussing Lakers owner Jeanie Buss' recent comments about Westbrook being L.A.'s best player last season, and claimed that he believes Westbrook will “resurrect himself” after a horrible campaign last year. The Lakers and their fans are certainly hoping Smith's take will come true, otherwise it could be another long year in Los Angeles.

https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1565025588783378432

Article Continues Below
Related News
Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
NBA rumors: LeBron James, James Harden potential free agency departures unlikelyZachary Draves ·
timberwolves, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
1 player Minnesota Timberwolves must trade in 2025 offseasonGarrett Kerman ·
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to his team losing the lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers’ JJ Redick link up with Les Snead at Rams campMiguel La Torre ·
image thumbnail
Sources: Lakers split on trading core playersAnthony Irwin ·
Lakers' Rob Pelinka with a Lakers logo in the middle Mavs Center Daniel Gafford on one side, Nets center Nic Claxton on the other. Question marks around them.
Sources: ‘Extremely active’ Lakers looking to add multiple bigs on trade marketAnthony Irwin ·
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) being defended by Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller (52) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the United Center.
Former Laker Shaq, Brad Miller recreate brawl photo 23 years laterZachary Howell ·

Of course, it's worth noting that there's a chance that Russell Westbrook isn't even on the Lakers roster come this time next season, as the team has been looking into trading Westbrook all offseason long. Nothing has come of it yet, but as long as Westbrook's name continues to swirl in trade rumors, it's worth wondering whether or not he will even be on the team come next season.

If Westbrook does end up sticking around in Los Angeles, the hope is that Stephen A. Smith's take here becomes prophetic. Westbrook is going to need to have a much better season, both offensively and defensively, for the Lakers if the team wants to see an improvement in their win-loss record this upcoming season.

The Lakers have the pieces in place to build a winner this upcoming season. Any team with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook should be a perennial playoff team. But unless Westbrook turns things around, and fast, the Lakers could end up laboring through another lost campaign this upcoming season.