Russell Westbrick Discussion: Clipper Gonna Clip

Agreed. Personally I don't think we get out of the play-in if Russ is still here next April. You can't have two of your three highest usage players not competing defensively. Nearly as significant, we're desperate for able bodies on the roster. Talent at the minimum salary is not enough for us to compete against the top 6-8 teams. The only way we can get multiple players who are better than that level of talent is by moving Russ.

I don't care about their injuries or their salary. We have maybe two more shots at this thing for the foreseeable future. Chips need to go in because tomorrow isn't promised. 70% of the last decade has been miserable for us. The Lakers name and brand and the city of LA means so much less than pre-social media. I never want to hear the "plan x (fill in flavor of the month upcoming FA name here)" again. That bit us in the a** time after time.

Not saying be reckless with the picks, but I would move them in a heartbeat for the Charlotte (the GH + Rozier one) or Indy deal. Put protections on them the best you can, but I'm not willing to let a pick get between us and a championship. Our scouts are good enough we can make up the difference in the 2nd round. You can say we're not a few players away, but with injuries you never know. Injuries got Phoenix to the finals last year and play a big factor in Boston getting there this year.

 

or we could move Lebron.

and then Russ.

complete overhaul in less than 12 months. I'm in.

 

Guess it depends on what is perceived as a good deal. I think if you break it into smaller contracts and get two starters or starter level players that fill big needs for this team, to me that is a win.

I definitely get that side. Personally I'm against a deadline deal because that's a mid-season punt. It's too far into the season for those players to be able to dig us out or develop chemistry. A new coach having to change everything mid-season is a terrible idea, I think, and puts him in an unfair position. Sure, you might be able to get something to work with that following season, but you are gambling on what Bron will have left at that point and father time is still undefeated.

If we don't see a deal worth taking, I send Russ home and don't let him play 1 game this year.

 

lowry has missed large chunk of gms this past season and currently dealing with hamstring issues

 

Here's what our former front office substitute thinks about the Russ situation (from his interview with The Athletic's David Aldridge)

 

If we are left with only bad trades for Westbrick, don’t make any, just tell him his services are no longer needed and he can stay home for the year. Not having him on the floor and still paying him for one more year is a better option than having him negatively affecting every game he plays in is the better option. The waive and stretch choice just makes zero sense from a team building standpoint.

 

There will be no convincing this fool of changing ANYTHING about his game. He proved that to us last season. There’s no amount of reason available when dealing with a narcissist.

 

Sure Mag. Like Vogel (a by body of work "player's coach"), (more than likely) Kidd, a HOF "guard", (more than likely) Handy, one of best in game at his job .... and (reported) Pelinka ALL didn't do that this year?

 

In before Slick gives it a



…. was all about LeBron and AD not playing enough with him. No problem with his attitude.

 

There's no problem with WB.

It was mostly Vogel's fault.

 

That's a "like" only if that was sarcasm.

 

pretty much exactly what some of us have been saying for months. it's not like there's a magic formula. russ has to want to play defense and make himself a threat as a cutter as well as a ballhandler on offense. he simply refused and then blamed everyone else all the time.

 

His passive aggressive, blame shifting, lack of effort, awareness and accountability attitude is more concerning than any turnover or bricked shot.

 

I think because of this, his only value is his expiring deal. IF he gets dealt, I expect his new team to not play him much after they quickly realize how awful he really is on both ends of the floor.

 

What would it look like if the Los Angeles Lakers pivot and keep Russell Westbrook next season?

(Cleaning the glass table worth a look in the article but doesn't format correctly in the post)

For those who aren't going to read that much about Russ and want to address the quotes from this that are going viral..

This one

I still think this is largely negotiating 101.
Lakers: we aren't giving up a 1st
Other team: you must give us a first

Then you settle on multiple 2nds or some level of protection on those firsts. There is no reason for us to say we're willing to give up a first right now. If we did that, they'd ask for a second 1st. There has to be a push and pull so both teams feel like they're winning the deal.

I do feel much less confident that Russ will be on another team than I did right after his exit interview. I was probably 80% sure he was gone at that point. Now I'm probably down to 60%. Still have a hard time seeing him coming back or us putting the team and the coach in that impossible position.

 

If you want to feel better about the Russ contract...

 

..... meh yet someone else who closely follows NBA basketball, Buha in this case, falling into the trap of believing his own lyin' eyes about how badly Brick sucked last year in performance AND attitude.