by Darren Moore
The trade that saw former MVP Russell Westbrook join the Los Angeles Lakers in a draft day deal with the Washington Wizards, saw the Lakers finally form their own “Big Three” trio alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers traded Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the No. 22 pick in last Thursday’s draft to acquire Westbrook, in addition to two second-rounders from the Washington Wizards.
NBA 2022 Championship Odds
As the dust settled following the NBA Draft the Los Angeles Lakers are now +300 to win the 2022 NBA Championship. That puts the Lakers as the second favorites behind the Brooklyn Nets (who can be backed at odds of +200), with their own “Big Three” in Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
Although the Lakers have signed a playmaker capable of helping to ease the pressure off of James (who turns 37 in December), particularly with Dennis Schroder having rejected the team’s four-year, $84 million contract extension offer, there are questions as to whether Westbrook is the player that the Lakers need right now.
Yes, the Lakers wanted Westbrook’s shot creation and someone to cover any postseason injuries to James or Davis, but this is not a trade that is seen as being a surefire success for Los Angeles.
Money Matters
The biggest issue surrounding the acquisition of the 32-year-old point guard is his salary. Westbrook is due to earn over $44 million this season and holds a player option worth over $47 million for next season.
The NBA has set salary cap for 2021-22 season, effective for August free agency: $112,414,000 cap, $136,606,000 tax line.
The Lakers have an obvious problem here, with James, Davis and Westbrook alone set to earn $120 million combined this season.
As a consequence, the Lakers could only use the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.9 million) and offer minimum salary deals to free agents, which is why during the first day of free agency, they agreed to terms with four of their former players — Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore and Wayne Ellington — because they will all sign on veteran’s minimum deals.
Caruso Walks
The Lakers also had to allow a key player in 27-year-old Alex Caruso to walk in free agency. Caruso has now agreed terms on a four-year, $37 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, while the Lakers have to fill out half of their roster with minimum salary deals.
The other big question is whether the Lakers needed another ball-handler of Westbrook’s standing, rather than a guard who is more pass dominant? Will James and Westbrook be a duo that can coexist?
The biggest weakness for Los Angeles last season was their long-range shooting, in which they ranked a lowly 25th in 3-pointers made and 21st in 3-point percentage. As a result, the Lakers were ranked 22nd in points per game and 24th in offensive rating.
Quite simply, Russell Westbrook isn’t the player to fix that, having shot just 31.5 percent from beyond the arc last season and with a career 3-point percentage of just 30.5.
The fear going into the season will be that the Lakers have an aging, injury-prone roster. That might not be a recipe for success when it comes to the postseason.
2022 Regular Season NBA MVP Odds
- Luka Doncic +400
- Joel Embiid +700
- Kevin Durant +700
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +800
- Stephen Curry +800
- LeBron James +1600
- Damian Lillard +1200
- Nikola Jokic +1500
- Devin Booker +1600
- Trae Young +1800
- James Harden +2000
- Donovan Mitchell +3000
- Anthony Davis +2500
- Jayson Tatum +2500
- Paul George +4000
- Kyrie Irving +4000
- Zion Williamson +4000
- Ja Morant +5000
- Russell Westbrook +2500
- Jimmy Butler +6600
- Julius Randle +6600
- Bradley Beal +6600
- Domantas Sabonis +8000
- Zach Lavine +8000
- Karl-Anthony Towns +10000
- Bam Adebayo +10000
- Chris Paul +10000
- Jaylen Brown+15000
- Pascal Siakam +15000
- Anthony Edwards +15000
- LaMelo Ball +15000
- Khris Middleton +15000
- Jamal Murray +15000
- Klay Thompson +15000
- Shai Gilgeuous-Alexander +20000
- CJ McCollum +20000
- DeMar DeRozan +20000
- Lonzo Ball +25000
- Nikola Vucevic +25000
- Brandon Ingram +25000
- Malcolm Brogdon +25000
- Deandre Ayton +25000
- De’Aaron Fox +20000
- Ben Simmons +20000
- Michael Porter Jr. +30000
- Christian Wood +30000
- Jrue Holiday +30000
- Kyle Lowry +30000
- John Wall +30000
- Collin Sexton +40000
- Rudy Gobert +40000
- John Collins +40000
- Kemba Walker +40000
- Fred VanVleet +30000
- Kristaps Porzingis +50000
- Cade Cunningham +50000
- Clint Capela +50000
- D’Angelo Russell +50000
- Victor Oladipo +50000
- Jerami Grant +50000
- Dejounte Murray +50000
- Draymond Green +80000
- Tyrese Haliburton +80000
- Aaron Gordon +100000
- Norman Powell +100000
* NBA Championship 2022 odds correct at the time of writing. All betting odds subject to change.
Darren lives & breathes sports betting and is always sniffing out his next value bet. His favourite sports to bet on are the NFL, horse racing and UFC but he will bet on anything if he thinks the odds are favourable.
