Lakers Reportedly Mulling the Surprising Release of 9-Time All-Star

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make a move at the trade deadline. A lot of analysts criticized the lack of action in the front office. Well, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka knew what he was doing. Several reports suggested that LeBron James and Anthony Davis don’t approve Pelinka’s unwillingness to make a move. We keep getting these stories related to Lakers players and some even suggest that Pelinka should trade AD and LeBron. Guess what… Latest rumors say that the Lakers are getting ready for a surprising release.

Is this really surprising?

Fans expected the Lakers surprising release

Jake Fischer from Bleacher Report said that the front office will stretch Russell Westbrook’s deal and push him into free agency. I guess this is the most painless move for both parties. The Lakers brought Davis to be the third player behind LeBron and AD but he failed to meet expectations.

“Los Angeles’ most realistic option may ultimately be stretching Westbrook’s $47 million player option for the 2022-23 season,” Fischer detailed on March 2. “The Lakers have already shown a willingness to stretch Luol Deng’s contract, which finally slips off Los Angeles’ books this year, although that came under Mitch Kupchak’s stewardship. Stretching Westbrook, according to the strategist, would drop the Lakers to merely $2.5 million above the salary cap, which would allow them to sign a rotation piece to the non-taxpayer mid-level, and another player to the bi-annual exception.”

Broddie is not a good fit for this Lakers team despite the fact that he is one of the most competitive player in the NBA. His great experience didn’t help the Lakers win games. Moreover, his turnovers made fans really angry. Heckling fans teased Westbrook but he didn’t pay attention to the noise. He trusts himself.

LeBron and AD did their best to get Westbrook in LA. It was a bad move and the four-time NBA champion may force the front office to make another move and get rid of Westbrook.

“What James is doing is likely aimed at one primary goal: Force the Lakers into major action this summer,” Brian Windhorst explained last month. “He tried to do it nicely and now he’s doing it harshly.

“…Being aggressive and further mortgaging the future will be painful and risky. But James is making his feelings clear: He doesn’t care. Do it and they get more than new players, they will keep James deeply invested. That’s something no team has been able to say no to.”