Lakers Big Man Hopes Big 3 Stays Together For Next Season

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to meet expectations after making their blockbuster trade for nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook, but veteran big man Dwight Howard hopes that they can give it one more go next season.

When asked whether he thinks another year of having Westbrook team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis could produce better results, Howard was optimistic about it.

“Obviously, it can. I think it can, but it takes time and we live in a microwave society where we want results right away. Things take time to mesh,” Howard was quoted by Lakers Nation as saying.

He continued, “You’re looking at three guys in Russ [Westbrook], AD [Davis] and LeBron [James] who need to have the basketball in their hands to be effective. … He’s [Westbrook] been making decisions and stuff like that. So is LeBron and you’ve got AD who’s the one up-and-coming star who needs the ball in his hands as well.”

The Lakers endured a terrible 2021-22 season after both James and Davis battled injuries, but the latter missing 42 games was the most notable case of it all.

Davis was expected to be the next Lakers big man to bring them success, following in the footsteps of greats like Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

However, injury has kept him from getting to the next level and reaching all-time great status.

Though the Lakers were able to succeed in 2020 and net their 17th NBA title, their desire to take advantage of James’ all-around talent went south quickly the following season and reached its climax this year.

Head coach Frank Vogel was subsequently fired following their season-ending win over the Denver Nuggets as the blame for their failure to make the playoffs was placed squarely on his shoulders.

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley criticized the Lakers for making Vogel and Westbrook their scapegoats.

Westbrook hinted in his exit interview that his future in Los Angeles could already be coming to an end after just one season as the disappointment of not being able to contend for a title, plus the criticism from the fans, may have taken its toll on him.

This coming offseason could be the most important in the Lakers’ recent history as it could either make or break the final season of James’ contract with them.

The rush to build a contender is on one more time, and everything rides on general manager Rob Pelinka and the front office’s ability to put one together.