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Zenger
Zenger
Sport
Drew Maresca

What If The Los Angeles Lakers Didn’t Trade For Russell Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook Lakers Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers Kyle Kuzma LeBron James Anthony Davis Buddy Hield DeMar DeRozan Kyle Lowry
Russell Westbrook’s fit has been questionable, with the Los Angeles Lakers winning only 23 of their first 46 games — good for seventh in the West. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The 2021-22 NBA season has presented us all with its share of surprises — chief among them is the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers’ 2020-21 season ended badly, after a disappointing six-game series lost against the Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles entered last season as favorites to win, which would have meant back-to-back championships. But their 2021 first-round elimination forced the team’s management to confront the reality that their LeBron James-led title window was closing. Sure, Anthony Davis is also in tow, but Davis was far less successful in New Orleans without James as a running mate.

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