Former NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins feels Russell Westbrook would be a better fit for the LA Lakers over Chris Paul.
The 2020 NBA champions LA Lakers had a disappointing 2020-21 season with their superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggling with injuries followed by a first-round elimination in the 2021 playoffs.
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The supporting cast of the Lakers was not able to elevate their game during the absence of their superstar duo of James and Davis. One of the major areas that led to an early ouster for the Lakers in the playoffs was the poor performance of its backcourt. Dennis Schroder and KCP struggled from the field.
While Schroder shot 40.0% from the field and 30.8% from the 3-point line in the playoffs, KCP was 37.9% from the field and a dismal 21.1% from the 3-point line.
Thus, with the off-season kicking off, the Lakers would require to make some changes to their roster to be a championship contender in the upcoming 2021-22 season as the West is stacked with competent teams.
In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, while discussing who the Lakers should target this off-season, former NBA player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins stated that Russell Westbrook would be a perfect fit for the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook to the Lakers would be DANGEROUS for the NBA!!! They would instantly become Title favorites! Don’t @ me and Carry on… https://t.co/GyUhR3m2AH
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 22, 2021
How feasible is a Russell Westbrook trade to the LA Lakers?
Westbrook’s 2020-21 season seemed to be a roller-coaster ride. Though the former league MVP achieved one of the greatest feats earlier this year, by surpassing Oscar Robertson for the most no of triple-doubles in league history, the Wizards had a first-round exit in the 2021 Playoffs.
During the 2018-19 season, Westbrook signed a 5-year $206M max contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the biggest contracts in recent times.
However, the following years saw the 9x NBA All-Star being traded from OKC to the Houston Rockets, and then during the 2020-21 season, Westbrook paired up with Bradley Beal in Washington.
In 2021-22, Westbrook will earn a base salary of $44M. It will be interesting to see if the Lakers have enough cap space to accommodate a 3rd superstar with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers would need to package a good deal for the Wizards to agree to part ways with Westbrook.
Westbrook joining LeBron James and co would be the ultimate super team. The triple-double machine would definitely ease the load of the 36-year old LeBron James.
The former OKC superstar has led the league in scoring in 2015 and 2017. Westbrook is a 3x assists leader and has averaged a triple-double in 3 out of the last 4 seasons. Brodie averaged 22.2 PPG, 11.7 APG, and 11.5 RPG on a 43.9% shooting from the field in the 2020-21 season.
On, the other hand, 11x All-Star Chris Paul has a player option entering the 2021-22 off-season. Cp3 had one of his most successful seasons this year with the Phoenix Suns but fell short of winning an NBA championship.
Paul would definitely be a good fit for the team. The veteran shares a great relationship with the Lakers superstar LeBron James.
It will be interesting to see what moves do the Lakers make this off-season. The addition of Westbrook would definitely ease some load off the 36-years old Lebron, whereas CP3 would be the ideal floor general for the team who can shoot the ball as well.
