By Fredo Cervantes
Earlier today the Lakers agreed to trade F Kyle Kuzma, F Montrezl Harrell and KCP plus the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Wizards for Superstar Russell Westbrook.
The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, 2024 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22 tonight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 30, 2021
I talked about the possibility of this trade happening on The Fredo Show This past week and I was not a fan of it but certainly it’s an attractive move for the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook is coming home back to Los Angeles where he when to high school attended college at UCLA. Westbrook made it clear to the Wizards that he wanted to come to the Lakers according to reports.
The Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs this year to the Phoenix Suns in 6 games in which Anthony Davis eventually ended up getting hurt. Adding Westbrook to this team, allows LeBron to have more rest as the Lakers struggled having a playmaker while LeBron sat on the bench.
We are not just talking about a playmaker, we are talking about a future hall of fame caliber player who will make a significant contribution to this team in the upcoming season.
Can Russell Westbrook help the Lakers win it all?
He can certainly be the piece they were missing this past season after injuries hurt the Lakers. Westbrook is 32 years old right now and has lots more to give to the game of basketball as he just averaged a triple double for the Wizards this past season. Russell will strive in the line up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis especially in transition.
The Lakers have had some great teams in the last 60 years but a trio of Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James? You can argue that this might be the best trio of talent they have ever had.
Westbrook grew up in Los Angeles as he attended Leuzinger High school in Lawndale, CA which is a few miles south of the Staples Center. Russ average 25 points and 8 rebounds in his senior year which was interesting how he got to UCLA as he received a late offer. UCLA coach at the time Ben Howland was not planning on adding Russell as he already had his point guard but then he learned that Jordan Farmar was declaring for the 2006 NBA Draft which gave Russell the opportunity to go to Westwood.
Russell Westbrook was drafted 4th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008 who later became the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s a 9x NBA All Star and won the 2017 NBA MVP and has averaged a triple double 3 out of his last 4 seasons.
The Lakers will open training camp on September 28th and begin the regular season on October 19th.
It’s Showtime in Hollywood!
