Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and guard Killian Hayes Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons . (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons have cap space to use this summer, which is why they will be attached to just about every name out there, including ones that make no sense, like Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers were undoubtedly the NBA’s most disappointing team after spending big bucks on a “Super Team” that didn’t even make the play-in. Russell Westbrook became the scapegoat even though he played the entire season, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis spent a big chunk of it on the bench.
Some fans blamed Westbrook, while others pointed the fingers at a front office (LeBron) who thought Westbrook was a good idea in the first place even though the fit was questionable at best.
Now the Lakers are stuck with a bad, aging roster with no real way to get better outside of trading Westbrook, who is owed $47 million next season if he opts into his player option.
One betting site had the Detroit Pistons as one of the favorites to land Westbrook if he does not stay in LA:
Per @betonline_ag Russell Westbrook Is a 6/1 odds to become a Detroit Piston. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/r0GZLBVqjU
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) May 19, 2022
I don’t know if this is trolling or if the Pistons might actually be legit suitors for Westbrook, but even 6-to-1 odds seem way too high for a guy that Detroit should want no part of.
If you are one of the few who can see some merit in the Detroit Pistons trading for Russell Westbrook, there are probably a couple of reasons why.
Firstly, Westbrook is still a good player at 33-years-old and he is a draw for fans who know his name and remember him as the triple-double machine who won the MVP.
Westbrook still averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists this season. We all know about the shooting woes, but this is still a guy who can play, and his demise has been somewhat exaggerated.
I think it’s definitely safe to say that the Detroit Pistons would improve in the short term with Russell Westbrook in the starting five instead of Cory Joseph.
Secondly, if the Pistons were to take on Westbrook’s insane contract for one season, they’d have $47 million coming off the books next offseason, which is projected to have a much better and deeper group of free agents.
You’d sign Westbrook to eventually get the cap space and hope you could turn it into an impact player down the road.
These are valid arguments, especially considering the Pistons would probably have to give up little to get him, but do the Lakers even have anything Detroit wants?
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