For months, once it looked like there was no way to salvage the Russell Westbrook experiment, the Los Angeles Lakers have been looking to trade him.
They’ve been desperately trying to deal him for Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, and there have been whispers they’re exploring backup plans, such as possibly involving him in a trade for someone such as Buddy Hield.
On Friday, Westbrook and his agent decided to go their separate ways, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Via ESPN.com:
“Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook and his longtime agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman, have parted ways, Foucher told ESPN on Friday night.
“In a statement to ESPN, Foucher, one of the league’s prominent player representatives, cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ and suggested that there was no longer full alignment with Westbrook about whether the former MVP should want to remain with the Lakers for the final season of his $47 million contract.
“Foucher said that he believes Westbrook’s ‘best option is to stay with the Lakers, embrace the starting role and support that Darvin Ham publicly offered.'”
Foucher had been Westbrook’s agent for many years, going back to when the guard left the University of California, Los Angeles after his sophomore season to make himself available for the 2008 NBA Draft.
Many feel that even if Westbrook doesn’t get traded, it could make for a very awkward situation come this fall, given that LeBron James has reportedly been pushing hard for him to be dealt away.
James’ camp wanted Westbrook sent to the Houston Rockets for John Wall prior to the trading deadline in February, and he now wants the 2017 league MVP jettisoned so he could reunite with Irving.
