Why fans are clamoring for the Los Angeles Lakers to trade Russell Westbrook three games in is beyond crazy.
Last week, we had mentioned how it would be impossible, plus not feasible, for the Lakers to trade Westbrook to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving.
So while that trade wouldn’t work, here’s another trade that is being proposed; sending Westbrook to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons.
Now, through the first three games, Westbrook is averaging 12 points, 8.7 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game. The points per game are down, as he’s only shooting 34% for the floor, which is down about 10 percent from his career average.
But here’s the thing, Westbrook is out on the court and trying to play as hard as he can for the Lakers. Westbrook is a former MVP and will figure it out. If anything, having LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony alongside him can only help.
Whereas Simmons is currently not playing for the 76ers. When we last saw Simmons, he was in a poor shooting funk in the playoffs, as they were being eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons got himself kicked out of practice last week and then suspended for a game by Doc Rivers. That was before he was declared out for an indefinite amount of time while he is dealing with mental health issues and a back injury.
It’s unclear what will happen with Simmons, but it’s something that the Lakers should stay away from. Westbrook is there player and he is working out his issues at practice and on the court, which is what a professional is supposed to be doing.
Three games in. Let the Lakers and Russell Westbrook figure it out before trading him anywhere, much less, for players who aren’t even playing current basketball.
