“Russell Westbrook is very open to a trade”: ESPN analyst claims Lakers star still unsettled in LA

Triple-double machine Russell Westbrook won’t let his hope of playing for a franchise not called the ‘Lakers’ fade away. Not until he has to.

The Russell Westbrook trade has now become a dying ‘town talk’ in Los Angeles. Although after neither team was interested in shedding their stars and taking on that huge contract of his, it became a hot topic again when the Lakers acquired Patrick Beverley in a trade last month.

However, as soon as the guards seemed to have mended their relationship, which had been quite troubled over the years, that conversation began to fade as well.

But the 2017 MVP hadn’t parted ways with his old agent, Thad Foucher, just because. He wanted to get out of Los Angeles, where he would get more respect and play his game.

And an ESPN analyst believes that remains the former OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets star’s top priority.

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Ramona Shelburne claims Russell Westbrook is still open for a trade

In an appearance on the low post podcast, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said the 9x All-Star would surely be awake and open about his future to any franchise that appreciates his worth.

“Russ is very open to a trade,” Shelburne said. “He hasn’t asked for a trade. I have been assured. But he’s open to that, and someone who wants him and wants to empower him and wants him to be the Russell Westbrook of old.”

Russell Westbrook is reportedly “very open to a trade” from the Lakers 👀

➡️ https://t.co/2DAz2XUx4b pic.twitter.com/sIJ0463vzW

—Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) September 10, 2022

With a fit LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Pat Bev in the starting lineup, he would run with the second team more often than not.

And whether or not new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham accepts it, the 33-year-old double-scoring champion won’t see as much playing time as he did last season or any of his 14 seasons in the league.

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Playing in the final year of one of the NBA’s biggest contracts of yesteryear, Russ will need to prove himself to receive a decent offer next year and for the Lakers, it could spell disaster if he stays and tries to make it.