Within the Los Angeles Lakers organization, there have been indications of blame being shared concerning the controversial trade for Russell Westbrook in 2021. In a recent YouTube Q&A session, Jovan Buha from The Athletic disclosed that while some accountability has been acknowledged regarding the Westbrook deal, there has also been a tendency for various factions within the organization to point fingers at one another.
Buha highlighted that the decision to trade for Westbrook involved multiple parties, including franchise stars and the front office, all of whom played a role in the trade’s execution. This collective responsibility reflects the complexities and high stakes involved in assembling a competitive NBA roster, particularly when aiming to recreate the success experienced in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the squad.
The 2021 decision to acquire Westbrook from the Washington Wizards was driven by the intention to form a “Big 3.” However, despite Westbrook’s impressive resume as a nine-time All-Star and NBA MVP, his tenure with the Lakers saw him struggling to find his place in the lineup. His performance dipped, averaging 17.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game while not significantly contributing to team success. The Lakers finished the 2021 season with a disappointing 33-49 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Following this, the Lakers made adjustments and traded Westbrook, which coincided with a successful run to the Western Conference Finals less than a year later. Buha mentioned that the team’s recent successes likely spared general manager Rob Pelinka from immediate repercussions concerning the Westbrook trade fallout, given his positive rapport with owner Jeanie Buss.
As the season progresses, with a promising 10-5 record placing the Lakers in fourth in the Western Conference, the team appears to have solidified a robust supporting cast around their star duo. Players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and rookie Dalton Knecht are contributing to the team’s hopeful journey this season, suggesting the possibility of brighter days ahead for the franchise.
This reflection on the Westbrook trade and its aftermath serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports management while also highlighting the current resilience and potential of the Lakers as they navigate this NBA season.