Lakers Rumors: ‘Finger Pointing’ for Russell Westbrook Trade; Pelinka Not on Hot Seat | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

A number of folks throughout the Los Angeles Lakers group have reportedly tried to go the buck to a point for the ill-fated determination to commerce for Russell Westbrook in 2021.

As a part of a Q&A session Friday on YouTube (starting on the 1:01:30 mark of the video), Jovan Buha of The Athletic mentioned the commerce and the way the fallout has been dealt with by these nonetheless with the group:

“My understanding is sure, I feel there’s been accountability for the Russ commerce,” Buha stated. “I additionally suppose there’s been some finger pointing from all sides. There’s a number of events concerned, a number of events accountable. Clearly, the celebrities had been concerned with it, however the entrance workplace and possession finally signed off on it and executed the commerce. I feel there’s a variety of blame to go round for the Russ state of affairs, and I feel everybody’s finished a mix of taking accountability, but additionally finger pointing.”

Whereas the Lakers received a championship in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis main the best way, they skilled a first-round playoff exit the next season, which prompted the entrance workplace to make an enormous transfer.

In hopes of making a “Massive 3” headlined by LeBron and AD, the Lakers acquired Westbrook in a commerce with the Washington Wizards, sending them Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell.

Though Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, one-time NBA MVP and sure future Corridor of Famer, he by no means slot in with the Lakers, averaging 17.4 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds per recreation over two seasons in L.A., whereas capturing simply 43.4 % from the sphere and 29.7 % from past the arc.

In Westbrook’s solely full season with the Lakers, they went 33-49 and missed the playoffs. His position was decreased the next season and he was traded earlier than the deadline. L.A. then went all the best way to the Western Convention Finals.

Buha expressed his perception that successful a championship adopted by the Western Convention Finals run probably resulted in Lakers possession giving normal supervisor Rob Pelinka some grace and never terminating him for the Westbrook misfire.

Moreover, Buha famous that Pelinka has a “actually good” relationship with proprietor Jeanie Buss and there are not any plans to half methods with him.

James and Davis proceed to be the Lakers’ core, and whereas a 3rd famous person has continued to be elusive, L.A. does have a stable supporting solid led by D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and rookie first-round choose Dalton Knecht.

All of that has led to a robust 10-5 begin for the Lakers this season, which is nice for fourth place within the Western Convention.

In fact, the Lakers might revisit a commerce for a star previous to this season’s deadline if one thing turns into out there, however they will even probably be aware of what occurred with Westbrook and maybe be extra selective by way of solely pulling the set off on a deal if they’re a really perfect match alongside James and Davis.