The Russell Westbrook Trade

[JD1357]

Laker fan here...I come in peace.

As you all undoubtedly know, the Lakers suck, and most Laker fans are putting the blame entirely on Westbrook.

I don't, but anyway...

I'm just wondering what you guys thought of the trade when it happened, and what you think now, and if you are happy with KCP and Kuzma, etc.

Peace out!

[nate33]

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2108534&p=92810708&hilit=Westbrook#p92810708

[9 and 20]

Westbrook was a monster for us at the end of last year. Every night was must-see TV with him. Plus, he brought a level of competitiveness that we just never see in DC. We lose and our players don't give a crap. Russ gave a crap and that was refreshing.

I don't know how he fell off a cliff like this. He was almost as bad at the beginning of last year for us but the national media didn't really care because Wiz (lol). I thought for a while he might do the same thing in LA and pick up his play in the second half. Doesn't look like it's happening, though, unfortunately.

The Lakers guys have been fine. Most here are probably disappointed they weren't all traded for picks so we can really rebuild. Our owner refuses to do that. Also, part of that Lakers trade was us getting Dinwiddie, who has now been traded for Porzingis - and part of the KP trade was dumping Bertans which was a huge win for us. So, overall, a trading Russ to the Lakers was just a huge win for us. Unfortunate it looks like it wasn't a win-win trade - if not the sake of Lakers, then at least for Russ' sake.

[FAH1223]

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I find Tommy’s recollection of his convo with Russ kinda funny

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Clippers swept Russell Westbrook and his Lakers.

[payitforward]

Westbrook was a monster for us at the end of last year. Every night was must-see TV with him. Plus, he brought a level of competitiveness that we just never see in DC. We lose and our players don't give a crap. Russ gave a crap and that was refreshing.

I don't know how he fell off a cliff like this. He was almost as bad at the beginning of last year for us but the national media didn't really care because Wiz (lol). I thought for a while he might do the same thing in LA and pick up his play in the second half. Doesn't look like it's happening, though, unfortunately.

The Lakers guys have been fine. Most here are probably disappointed they weren't all traded for picks so we can really rebuild. Our owner refuses to do that. Also, part of that Lakers trade was us getting Dinwiddie, who has now been traded for Porzingis - and part of the KP trade was dumping Bertans which was a huge win for us. So, overall, a trading Russ to the Lakers was just a huge win for us. Unfortunate it looks like it wasn't a win-win trade - if not the sake of Lakers, then at least for Russ' sake.

This is exactly correct -- best thing that happened here in a long time.

& it should really be thought of as a multi-part move: Wall & a protected pick for Westbrook who went for Kuzma, KCP, Harrell & the #22 pick. Then Harrell brought a R2 pick plus the expiring Ish Smith & Vernon Carey Jr. & the #22 pick was traded (foolishly IMO) for Aaron Holiday & the #31 pick, which was used (foolishly IMO) on Isaiah Todd.

So, in the end, it was Wall & his boat anchor contract, plus a protected pick, for Kuzma, KCP, Isaiah Todd, a R2 pick, Ish, VC Jr., & a little cash (in return for Holiday).

It's not that we got so much. It's that we got out from under John Wall's contract & gained flexibility. &, of course, it would have been much better if we'd simply used that #22 pick rather than flipping it away in the idiotic deal for Holiday -- which, btw, pretty much everyone here, except not me, was for!

In fairness, if we'd used the #31 on Ayo Dosunmu, it would look altogether different. Better yet, if we'd traded the #31 to OKC for the #34 & #36 (what the Knicks got for the #32) & proceeded to pick Herb Jones & Dosunmu, Tommy would look like a genius!

But... that's hindsight.

[FAH1223]

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