The Los Angeles Lakers won two of the past four games and then lost the other two after starting the 2022-23 NBA regular season with a 0-5 record.
Having Russell Westbrook begin off the bench enabled him to play more comfortably and more efficiently. That was one of the major reasons behind the team's two straight wins.
However, that solution didn't fix all of the purple and gold's problems, which include a lack of 3-point shooters, centers and health, especially in Anthony Davis.
If the Lakers want to trade their way out of the current difficulties, they will have to give up the team's first-round draft picks for 2027 and 2029. However, even by doing so, it's hard to imagine they will immediately become a championship contender.
On the good side, whether Westbrook leaves or not, his big contract will come due in summer 2023 and free up a lot of salary space for the Lakers.
On the bad side, LeBron James turns 38-years-old in December, and Anthony Davis has been vulnerable to injuries for a very long time, meaning it is impossible to predict where they will be in eight months.
Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. November 7, 2022. /CFP
Anthony Davis (#3) of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. November 7, 2022. /CFP
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. November 7, 2022. /CFP
Host: Li Xiang
Guest: Matthew Watson
Cover designer: Feng Yuan
Chief editor: Chen Ran
Supervisor: Zhang Shilei