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Lakers Rumors: NBA Writer Calls for LA to Trade Russell Westbrook

Is Russell Westbrook truly excelling as a sixth man?

Ryan Menzie

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Paying $47.1 million for someone to come off the bench is never the ideal move. However, it's clear the Lakers look better with Russell Westbrook being utilized in his sixth man role.

Westbrook has recored three triple-doubles on the season and has averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. However, his true shooting percentage of 48.5 and his 18.5 turnover percentage are the worst of his career. 

It's clear the Westbrook experiment is looking better now, but still, the time is now to trade him away while the value of his expiring contract remains high. The Lakers will have to depart with some draft compensation in order to entice a team to take on the money, but it's more than enough reason for NBA writers to challenge the Lakers to trade him away (via Bleacher Report).

While the Lakers can simply let his contract run out and use the extra cap space this summer, Westbrook's expiring deal is one of the last remaining trade assets this team has left. Los Angeles needs to move on from Westbrook, using his deal as its best option to match money with before the deadline.

While some of Westbrook's best playing days are behind him, clearly the talent is still there, and one a championship caliber team can still utilize. The Lakers simply just can't afford waiting any longer knowing Westbrook will likely find a new home next season. 

Let the flood gates open once more for possible trade scenarios for Westbrook as the Lakers continue to climb towards a postseason team. 

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Ryan Menzie
RYAN MENZIE

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Kobe Bryant  Favorite Moment: Kobe Bryant Final Game. Too many moments to choose from between Derek Fishers 0.4 second buzzer beater, the Lakers 3-peat or game seven against Boston, but can't beat a final memory like Kobe's final game. 

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