Why haven’t the Lakers traded Westbrook yet?
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The Los Angeles Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook, according to their fans. Despite the Lakers’ Big Three's patch-up phone call, fans know the team is headed for another disaster season unless they get rid of the future Hall of Fame point guard. And despite the public support for his friend, LeBron knows this too, according to Dave McMenamin.
“Small sample size last year with Russ, but it's pretty darn clear that LeBron's seen enough, and he has no interest in going into another year with Russ as his teammate,” Dave McMenamin said in an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast.
However, Lakers management has other plans.
Instead of giving their all to trade Westbrook, the Lakers’ ownership has hesitated to give up their future – and it may come back to haunt them. According to The Athletic, the Lakers' discussions with the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers are dead after the Lakers refused to include a second first-round pick. The Lakers, who only have two first-round draft picks left in the tank, could have potentially acquired Myles Turner and Buddy Hield while getting rid of the problems caused by Westbrook – a near-perfect solution that may not be available in the future as the Indiana Pacers look for better trade suitors.
But why? What is the value of those first-round picks?
These are the questions that Lakers fans - and LeBron - are asking management, which has seen its share of failures over the past few years. But more importantly, Lakers management holding their draft picks contradicts the win-it-all mentality their fans have been exposed to for years.
In addition, although the Lakers only have two guaranteed first-round picks within the next decade, they have multiple second-round picks – more specifically 2-3 in the next three years, that will help build their future. In the past, these late-round draft picks have also proven to be precious for the Lakers. But critics would argue that two first-round selections could lead to the Lakers getting All-Star players as it did in the past, such as Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Yet, none of these players are still on the Lakers – that is the point.
Eventually, to accrue a LeBron-like type of player, the Lakers will have to give up these picks or players to win a championship. And that is okay. This is who the Lakers are. The team that gains star players and aims to win championships – immediately.
