feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

The future of Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is still unknown. He has shown flashes of his genius this season, however, nothing concrete. As Kyrie Irving became available, there were reports suggesting that the former MVP could be traded for him. However, Irving joined the Dallas Mavericks. Despite this, it looks like the front office is still trying to move Westbrook before the trade deadline on February 9. Even though a lot of Lakers fans have been asking for him to be traded, not many would want this trade to go down.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Fans are outraged by the reported trade

Watch What’s Trending Now!

According to reports from Tim MacMahon from ESPN, the Utah Jazz discussed a deal for Russell Westbrook along with 2027 and 2029 first-round picks in exchange for a combination of rotation players including Mike Conley and Malik Beasley. Also, the report suggested Westbrook would likely receive a buyout after the trade. This rumor shocked Los Angeles Lakers fans around the world and they were outraged. Here are some reactions:

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/grandwizuchiha/status/1622971403225153538?s=20&t=2BdjxLQ2lkmS8UCsgVcmKA

Most fans could not understand why the front office would give away their important future picks and Westbrook for role players. The players mentioned would be a decent addition to any team. However, the trade-off did not make sense to the fans. Many stated that the Lakers could have gotten stars that are at their prime with the future picks.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORERussell Westbrook Gets Dragged to the Chopping Block by Lakers World as Prolonged Trade Pursuit May Become a Reality

However, Westbrook’s contract has been a huge issue for the Lakers which they have been trying to get rid of. Other teams are not willing to take up his contract without the 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. It looks like that is the case with the Jazz as well. On the other hand, if the Lakers make this deal, they will not be able to make any other trade in this window without any future picks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Will Russell Westbrook remain a Laker?

When the Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook to play alongside superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the expectation went through the roof. The Lakers had won the title with James and Davis on their side. So, the addition of Russell gave huge confidence to their fans. However, things did not work out and the Lakers missed out on making the playoffs last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH THIS STORY?Russell Westbrook vs Stephen Curry: What do the Numbers Say on Who?s the Better Point Guard?

The poor form continues of the team this season as well as they look set to miss out on the playoffs yet again. Even though it was not entirely his fault, Westbrook became a scapegoat. However, it has to be noted that his numbers were nowhere near his previous seasons. It will be interesting to see whether Westbrook remains a Laker at the end of the trade deadline.

ADVERTISEMENT

Do you think the Lakers should move Russell Westbrook? Let us know in the comments.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Bagavathi Eswaran

1,520 Articles

Bagavathi Eswaran is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports, having a strong passion for the sport since the age of ten. As a former college player, Bagavathi has been following the NBA for more than a decade and has found his calling in writing about the sport. He has used his expertise in covering the NBA, as well as other arenas of the sport, to write more than 1400 articles at ES. Bagavathi's pieces on the increasingly dominant presence of European basketball and those following the journey of women-ballers are particularly noteworthy. Along with being a full-time writer, he is also a part of a group of young coaches groomed as trainers by Junior NBA. Bagavathi has trained players from schools and colleges, as well as underprivileged students who can attend the camps for free.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT