The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards in August 2021 in a blockbuster trade. Westbrook met with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at LeBron’s house before the trade happened and the three All-Stars were excited to compete for a championship together.
However, the Westbrook trade turned out to be a disaster for the Lakers, who went 56-74 with Westbrook in the lineup. Los Angeles missed the play-in tournament in 2021-22 and was awful last season before trading Westbrook to the Utah Jazz at the February trade deadline.
According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, every Lakers member involved in the Westbrook trade — including LeBron — admits they “misjudged” the Westbrook deal. Westbrook averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 130 games with the purple and gold.
The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook wasn’t a good fit next to Davis and LeBron since he’s not a reliable shooter. Westbrook shot only 29.7% from beyond the arc as a member of the Lakers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals last season after trading Westbrook. Meanwhile, Westbrook was waived by the Jazz, allowing him to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
Westbrook averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 21 games with the Clippers last season. LAC faced the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs and Westbrook averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the five-game series.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Clippers re-signed Westbrook on a two-year, nearly $8 million contract last offseason in free agency. The Lakers are 2-0 against the Clippers this season. Westbrook is averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the two games while shooting 40.0% from the field, 40.0% from 3 and 60.0% from the free-throw line.
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