NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook' Benching By Lakers May Be Reasonable After All

In the eyes of most, the Los Angeles Lakers are more likely to part ways with Russell Westbrook once the 2021-22 NBA season is over.

Given the fact that the franchise is not been playing well, it appears to be a logical expectation.

Furthermore, Westbrook has hardly been consistent for the Lakers despite most believing he could easily step up especially if LeBron James and Anthony Davis are unable to play.

As most know, Westbrook was allegedly on the brink of being traded. American journalist Roland Lazenby weighed in on this and gave his opinion when he appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast hosted by Brian Yalung recently.

“It’s not unusual for a player to be benched when he is about to be traded. These trades are like poker hands. I hate to keep going back to it but at some point, you’re dealing with somebody who’s going to have to lay down the cards,” the 70-year-old scribe explained.

As most know, no deal was made. But the benching of Westbrook was most likely because the Lakers wanted to preserve him and avoid seeing him get injured.

“So they go up to the very last minute, and so the last thing that a team trying to get rid of Russell Westbrook would be for him to play a couple of games and get injured right before, to ruin a trade. Now, I’m not saying that’s what happened, but it does happen often,” Lazenby shared.

But despite all these, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne offers an unusual take on the Lakers when she appeared on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast.

The 42-year-old told Windhorst that the current roster would probably parade the same lineup next season.

Although the players with minimum contracts are likely to change, it appears she was referring to James, Davis and Westbrook still being around for the 2022-23 wars.

“I’ve even, Brian, heard this phrasing… this is probably going to be the roster next year too,” Shelburne said.

That suggestion is likely to draw objections especially considering that the Lakers’ "Big Three" are eating up most of the salary space of the team.

Moreover, there is the contract situation of the 33-year-old Westbrook as he has a player option and most are under the impression that he is likely to opt-out.