Something not many saw coming happened. Russell Westbrook was traded to the Lakers for Kyle Snoozema, Bench Trez and the Notorious KCP.
Russell Westbrook will be entering his 14th year. That’s right Russ has been in the league since 08! Graduated from UCLA, and Long Beach Native, Staples Center will be a homecoming for Russ. The question is how well will he fit with the Lebron and AD?
Lebron already seems excited as he posted the photshopped pic of the new Big 3 (Lebron, Russ, AD)
Russ doesn’t mess around, yet gets a triple-double every game!
First things first, did Lakers give up too much for Westbrook? We won’t know until next season. However, it seems Westbrook will certainly be living large making approximately $44 million in 2021/22. The Lakers traded KCP who was scheduled to earn $13 million, Kuzma, $13 million, Trez, $9.7 million. Westbrook will make $9 million more combined than the three aforementioned players. The math shows we may have overpaid. Like buying Bitcoin 2 months ago 😉
Next, can Russ propel Lakers at least past the first round this season?
He alongside Caruso and undrafted free agent pick up Max Mcclung may just give the Lakers the explosiveness needed at the guard position. However, driving in and dishing out to a teammate for an open 3 right now is out of question. With KCP gone, we need to acquire a solid 3-point shooter. Although the Lakers couldn’t pull of the Buddy Hield acquisition, something may still be in the works.
Lakers could potentially sign and trade Dennis Schroeder for Buddy Hield. It would be most cost efficient and best for the team to let go of Schroeder. Schroeder wants roughly $25-30 million with a max 4 year Contract. Believe it or not, the Lakers AMEX Black Card certainly has its limits…
Buddy Hield is projected to make around $22 million in 2021/22. Trading Schroeder for Buddy Hield would be best move. However, Kings just drafted a guard Davion Mitchell, and still have guards De’Aron Fox, and Tyrese Halibuurton at their helm. Would the Kings even want Schroeder and his 4 years max salary?
Lakers will have to do some investigating to figure out if the Kings are interested in Schroeder and/or Talen-Horton Tucker (THT). If there is no interest from the Kings, we need to find a shooter elsewhere. If the Lakers have no luck finding a suitable home for Schroeder, it may be best to let him go…
Bip Dubbula
The Joog on Sports
07/30/21
I see you say we a lot oh you speak French now?
Haha, good one!
will remove some of the “We”s