While former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel benched Russell Westbrook late in games a small handful of times last season, new coach Darvin Ham will have more power to do so this season, assuming Westbrook remains on the roster and Ham decides there are better fits in crunch time, says Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Buha expects Westbrook to get opportunities to close out games, but notes that it will depend on his shooting, decision-making, and defense.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are, of course, locks to be part of the Lakers’ “closing” five, and Buha views Austin Reaves as the next-best bet to join that group because he can be a secondary ball-handler. Buha predicts that Juan Toscano-Anderson and Troy Brown will fill out the closing five in instances when Westbrook is on the bench.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Although Kendrick Nunn recently said he feels 100% healthy after missing the entire 2021/22 season due to a knee injury, he has yet to resume playing five-on-five, which will be the “next big hurdle” in his recovery process, Buha writes. The expectation for now is that Nunn will be ready to go for training camp.
- Buha believes that the Lakers are done adding veteran free agents this offseason, and that any additional roster changes would come via trade. He notes that the team could also be active on the buyout market after the 2023 trade deadline.
- LeBron James will become eligible on Thursday to sign a contract extension with the Lakers, but Chris Mannix of SI.com doesn’t believe James will be in any rush to sign that deal, since he can maintain leverage and keep pressure on the team by taking his time. He could sign that extension at any time up until June 30, 2023.
I’ve heard about Nunn advancing about 27 times in the last 12 months and the next sentence is always “still not ready for 5×5”
Troy brown closing out games, yikes. Jta is good enough to be a role player but don’t love him there either.
Unfortunately, Pelinka has really screwed this up. I don’t think they are even good enough to make the playoffs. Pelinka needs to do something because his job is on the line. He’s had 2 non playoff years and 1 play in in 3 of the 4 years as the gm. Title aside, that isn’t good
*Bubble title.
I’m not even a Laker fan, but I don’t get the bubble title jabs. Was there a team that had to play more games outside the bubble that I’m not aware of?
Every team dealt with the same set of circumstances and the Lakers prevailed as champions.
Someone like Kyrie Irving closes out the game
Bench Westbrook final 5 minutes
Trade proposal was
Lakers get Irving, Harris and Curry
Nets get Westbrook, Tucker and Picks
Lakers say no
because of tax?
Nets aren’t giving up curry and Harris. They don’t own their own picks so they have no reason to tank. These trade proposals get more delusional by the day
Lakers are going to stretch and waive Westbrook. If they don’t they are on the hook for the entire 47 million owed with no outs what so ever.
Off to the Charlotte Hornets after that.
Waiving and stretching doesn’t help. They would have a cap hit of almost 16 million the next 3 years where as if he plays out this year that 47 million comes off the books entirely. But, Pelinka is a terrible gm so I wouldn’t put it past him
The Lakers about to be like really bad huh?
1. Denver
2. L.A. Clippers
3. Golden State
4. Memphis
5. New Orleans
6. Minnesota
7. Dallas
8. L.A. Lakers
Phoenix?
1. Denver
2. L.A. Clippers
3. Golden State
4. Memphis
5. Phoenix
6. New Orleans
7. Minnesota
8. Dallas
1. Brooklyn
2. Milwaukee
3. Miami
4. Boston
5. Philadelphia
6. Toronto
7. Chicago
8. Atlanta
Lol to both
Reeves is a hustle defense is nor that good .He’s effort ..Defensive rating was 119 bad behind lebron, russ, monk, and Melo. When he learns how to use angels and get a little stronger he could be alot better .
Defensive ratings can be misleading.
LeBron next contract will be the team that drafts his son