[OFFICIAL] Russell Westbrook as a Los Angeles Laker thread

Lakers gave up a FRP

 

Conley will unlock the potential of the stifle tower just as he did in Utah.

 

Lol, are these GMs blind, or are these just made up rumors?

 

That's nasty work by Klutch media

Calling the man a vampire after blaming him for all of their failures since he arrived

Very unprofessional

 

They were trying to trade him anyway. I mean, his play, his numbers, his advanced numbers, etc. prove that Westbrook wasn't working with the Lakers. Why lie or, if it's true, why expose him in that way?

They did Thomas Bryant the same way. They traded him because they didn't want to lose him for nothing in the summer or because they wanted some rim protection, why lie or expose him complaining about playing time? If true, that's something that happens on every team.

 

It comes with the territory.

 

I imagine the majority of those two fan bases are praying he doesn’t pick their team.

 

I'm not sure why Miami seems to reach that desperation point but I can see why Chicago is with the shitty year they're having and DD is probably in westbrick's ear

 

I think you're vastly underestimating the politics and optics behind moves. If you trade someone without any rhyme or reason, people will be more sympathetic towards the player ("Damn, they did Westbrook dirty with that trade") or negative towards your organization ("Wow, Lakers really don't care about this dude!")

Attaching a reason, no matter how small or inconsequential, serves to absolve that franchise of either of these. "Oh, Westbrook is a vampire? Oh, Thomas was pouty because he wanted more playing time? Lakers were so right in getting rid of them! What a smart org!"

 

And now they could say, don't go to the Lakers, they'll air your dirty laundry, they'll slander you, call you a vampire, no matter how great of a player you once were, and they'll use their influence on the media to ensure you don't get to share your side.

For me, you just be honest. The once MVP, Westbrook did not work with us. We didn't want to lose a quality backup big like Bryant for nothing in free agency. They were assets we wanted to cash in on and improve our team. It just seems vindictive and petty because few people would disagree with trading either of those players.

 

Lakers are probably the only organization that could get away with doing that, though, and still come out the other side smelling like roses. Would have said the same about the Celtics and Knicks, but I think those two franchises have lost their luster, over the years.