Lakers Almost Made This Russell Westbrook Trade

BYAlexander Cole1.8K Views
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Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook currently remains on the roster.

Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers struggled to forge any real chemistry last season. As many of you already know, Russ struggled from beyond the arc, and for the most part, he was incredibly ineffective on a nightly basis. It was Westbrook's worst season as a pro, and at this point, it has affected his perception around the league.

Over the last summer, there have been various rumors regarding whether or not he would be traded. These rumors have persisted throughout training camp, and even with the season just a few weeks away, it seems increasingly likely that Russ could be traded if things don't go swimmingly out of the gate.

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

In a new report from The Athletic, it was revealed that the Lakers almost sent Russ to the Indiana pacers along with two first-round picks. This would have brought back Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, which would immediately make the Lakers better. Instead of going through with it, General Manager Rob Pelinka decided it would be best to give Russ at least one more chance.

Having said that, it seems like Russ will only be given about a month to figure it out. If it becomes apparent that the Lakers are no good with Russ on the roster, a trade could happen with extreme swiftness.

Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the NBA world.

About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current editor-in-chief of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. It was here where he began to hone his craft, putting his journalism degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, to good use. Since that time, he has documented some of the biggest stories in the hip-hop world. From the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef to the disturbing allegations against Diddy, Alex has helped HotNewHipHop navigate large-scale stories as they happen. In 2021, he went to the Bahamas for the Big 3's Championship Game. It was here where he got to interview legendary figures like Ice Cube, Clyde Drexler, and Stephen Jackson. He has also interviewed other superstar athletes such as Antonio Brown, Damian Lillard, and Paul Pierce. This is in addition to conversations with social media provocateurs like Jake Paul, and younger respected artists like Kaycyy, Lil Tecca, and Jeleel!
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