With the downfall of the Los Angeles Lakers this season, many have been blamed. Frank Vogel got a ton of slack for not incorporating the summer additions well enough. Anthony Davis was critiqued because he was unavailable most of the time, due to injuries. Even LeBron James had some criticism thrown his way, due to the ever-present notion that he was the one who chose players that would be added to the roster. However, no one comes close in blame, according to most Lakers fans, to Russell Westbrook.
Thus, as there are reports of a possible Westbrook trade being discussed, here are the two ideal destinations for Lakers' Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook Trade destinations
Houston Rockets
The latest team linked with the current Lakers guard is his old team, where he spent the 2019-20 season, the Houston Rockets. The Rockets most likely do not want to bring Westbrook back due to his wayward play, as they are rebuilding and Westbrook is not the same player he was before they pulled the trigger in 2019. However, the Rockets could get a massive problem off their books if they decide to go for the Westbrook trade. Of course, the problem is John Wall, who still has not featured for the Rockets this season.
It would be a hard sell for Wall, however, as the Lakers do not see any financial benefit from this deal. He makes the same money, with essentially the same contract length, as Westbrook. However, while the contract is the same, Wall could at least be a change. The Lakers would at least be able to try something fairly different. If nothing, Wall would be a different presence in the locker room and would likely take fewer shots than Westbrook, who is currently taking 16.2 shots on a 43.3% shooting clip.
Now, the reservations towards another non-shooting point guard, which seems fairly pointless in a team with LeBron James, are completely understandable. Westbrook has not shown up, and there are concerns that Wall would not too. Still, even with all the concerns absolutely relevant, the Lakers need something. Getting any kind of change would likely jog up their team and since the only tradeable pieces are Westbrook and Talen Horton-Tucker, this would be that major shock to the system that would likely, if even for a short period of time, provide a positive injection.
When it comes to Westbrook, the Rockets would be a welcome change. He would need to understand that the team will be losing for the foreseeable future, which is just the reality of young teams in the NBA. However, Westbrook would be outside of the Lakers and James spotlight, something he desperately needs. While he seems like the kind of player and person that does not get affected, constant negative comments must get to his head. Thus, should he join the Rockets, regardless is he playing or not, Westbrook would finally be free from most negativity coming his way. He would have the time and space to slowly rebuild his game once again.
Oklahoma City Thunder
This move might be counterintuitive, as the Thunder have a future star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing point guard. However, Westbrook is a true legend of the Oklahoma City Thunder and it just feels natural to see him there. The Lakers would likely not get much, but in their position, just getting rid of the contract would be good enough. The Thunder is Westbrook's home and one cannot escape the feeling that Brodie's career really took a nosedive after he left the Thunder.
Now, it is almost impossible to see Westbrook becoming that incredible player he was during his OKC stint. Still, after his Rockets, Wizards, and Lakers episodes, the standards are much lower. In the Thunder, he would be the veteran player playing at his favorite place, guiding forward the immense young talent that the Thunder has. He would not need to have huge games, or even chase nearly impossible triple-doubles, rather just mentoring and playing a reduced role on the court.
Of course, in terms of success, Westbrook would take a major step down in his career. After fighting for championships with two of the four franchises he played for, coming home to the Thunder to simply be the veteran player might seem like punishment for the current Lakers guard. However, as specified above, the constant stream of negativity coming his way must affect him in some manner, and playing for a small-market, generally woeful team in the Thunder would be a welcome change due to the major difference in pressure. Playing for the Lakers is great, especially with James right there, but it brings a ton of pressure that clearly got to Westbrook's head, who is playing one of the worst seasons of his NBA career.
It is clear to everyone involved that both the Lakers and Russell Westbrook need a change. The Lakers would settle for any change, simply because they are running so badly this season, floating around .500. Westbrook likely would not like a trade to a non-competitive team, but maybe that is exactly what he needs. He has been in the spotlight since his masterful MVP season and while he has tons of fans, people who dislike him are very vocal. Going to a franchise that does not exert immediate pressure would do wonders for his career and that is why the Rockets and the Thunder are ideal destinations for the former MVP point guard.
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