There is no doubt that Russell Westbrook has been one of the NBA’s best players over the past dozen years and that he’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after he retires.
Averaging a triple-double for an entire season is remarkable enough, especially against the type of modern-day defenses Oscar Robertson never had to deal with. But Westbrook did so four times in a span of five years, something which will likely never happen again.
But his value has dropped precipitously over the past year after his frustrating season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and it seems like he is now viewed around the NBA as an anchor who will take a good team down with him.
The Lakers have been trying to trade him for months, and any team that would acquire him would reportedly waive him shortly afterward.
In fact, there is doubt as to whether any team would pick him up afterward.
Via Lakers Daily:
“NBA insider Tim Bontemps apparently believes that Westbrook could be out of the league after his time with the Lakers comes to an end.”
On the latest Windhorst pod, some things they said about Russ:
Bontemps: "He might be out of the league after the Lakers"
McMahon: "Dallas said hell no when asked about signing Russ….he can play for the Ducks in China"
Windy: "Market is really dry for Russ"
— L.A.B (@laughsNball) July 22, 2022
In reality, Westbrook is not nearly as bad a player as he is currently perceived. But having the type of season he just had, where the Lakers went from title contenders to not even reaching the play-in tournament, can tarnish the value of a player.
