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Russell Westbrook isn’t an organizational fit for the Los Angeles Lakers. But I’m cool with the decision to not mortgage the future just to get rid of him.
Last year wasn’t pretty, but I think we all got a little carried away with how hard it would be to trade Westbrook. Assuming he opts into his player option, Westbrook will be on an expiring contract that comes off the books after next season.
Los Angeles could wait until closer to the trade deadline and hope a rival team wants to rid themselves of long-term money owed to unwanted fits of their own. Maybe some of those guys could help out as role players with new scenery next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
But more realistically, they could utilize Westbrook’s contract similarly to how Oklahoma City viewed Al Horford’s or how Houston viewed John Wall’s. In fact, Horford recently credited some of his recent success to the extra rest he got, so it worked out for him.
It would be strange for everyone involved, but if they keep Westbrook at home and away from the team, they could also keep their 2027 and/or 2029 first-round draft pick(s) without letting Westbrook’s net negative performance impact their play on the court.
If the Lakers are going to use a future first-round pick, it should be to get a new player who can help them win now — not just to get rid of someone in hopes that the money cleared could potentially land a mid-level free agent.
The Tip-Off
If you’ve been underwhelmed by the Eastern Conference Finals, you should know that you’re not alone. Our own Andy Nesbitt agrees with you:
“While Steph Curry and the Warriors are a win away from sweeping the Mavs, the Celtics and Heat are all tied up at two games apiece and their series has been one of the dumbest series I’ve ever seen.
I mean that will all respect as I’m a Celtics fan and would enjoy watching them beat the Heat and advancing to the Finals but what’s been going on these four games has been… something.
Take last night, for instance. The Celtics needed a win at home to even the series. The Heat needed a win to take control of the series before heading home to Miami for Game 5.
So what happened?
The Celtics jumped out to an 18-1 lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back, winning the game 102-82 to even things up.
The game was never entertaining.”
So, yeah. Like my colleague Prince Grimes wrote, maybe the playoffs haven’t been very good after all. Hopefully, that changes in the NBA Finals.
One to Watch
Mavericks (-1.5, -120) vs. Warriors (+100), O/U 215.5, 9:00 PM ET
From a competitive standpoint, there isn’t much left to say about this series. Golden State has already run away with it, and their blend of superior talent and playoff experience has shown during each victory.
Oddsmakers believe Dallas avoids the sweep by winning tonight, but will it even matter much? Because how often are teams able to come back from 3-1 leads in the playoffs, anyway? Especially when they’re matched up against a juggernaut like Golden State, it’s nearly impossible!
Who’s in and out?
— Otto Porter (foot) is questionable against the Mavericks
Shootaround
— 25 NBA draft player comparisons, based entirely on 2022 combine performance
— The Mavericks’ Theo Pinson responds to t-shirt controversy by calling out other NBA teams on Twitter
— Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin ranks Philly’s trade pieces by value
— HoopsHype spoke to DJ Strawberry about playing overseas
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