Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook is 'more likely' to be traded or sent home prior to training camp following Thursday's trade for Patrick Beverley, according to a report.
Russell Westbrook, left, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans in an NBA game at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles on April 1, 2022."Beverley’s arrival makes it more likely that Westbrook will be off the active roster by the start of training camp, either through a trade or the team sending him home a la the Rockets with John Wall last season, according to a source close to the situation," The Athletic reported.
Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 21, 2022.A Westbrook trade would be tricky for the Lakers after the nine-time All-Star opted into his $47.1 million player option for the 2022-2023 season. Sending Westbrook away from the team would be considered a"drastic scenario," according to The Athletic.
Westbrook has been rumored to be in multiple trade scenarios after a difficult first season in L.A., with the guard averaging his lowest point totals since his second season in the league while shooting just 29.8% from beyond the three-point line.