2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers Player Review: Russell Westbrook
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers spent the 2022 offseason seeking a trade for the final year of Russell Westbrook’s supermax contract that paid him $47 million for the 2022-23 campaign. They were unable to do so, instead opting to bring him back in the hopes Year 2 would be better than Year 1.

One of the ways they chose to attack this was to make Westbrook comfortable with a sixth man role, transitioning him to the bench after just three regular season games. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but Westbrook was certainly better in this role than he was in 2021-22.

He made an impact as a high-energy bench guard who could score and distribute. His efficiency numbers increased and the team started winning a higher percentage of their games. The Lakers went 25-22 in their next 47 games with Westbrook off the bench.

But back-to-back losses ahead of the trade deadline put the Lakers in a tough spot. They hadn’t been able to gain ground in the standings despite their improvements. Instead, they found a deal to trade Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley.

Westbrook was then bought out and signed by the L.A. Clippers, where he spent the remainder of the season until they were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 52 games as a Laker in 2022-23.

2022-23 Highlight

Westbrook’s best performance came in an early January win over the eventual No. 3 seed Sacramento Kings. The Lakers were without Anthony Davis, Troy Brown Jr., Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV, meaning Westbrook had to have an efficient and effective performance off the bench.

He delivered, scoring 23 points with 15 assists as a game-high plus-15 in a tightly-contested victory. He shot 7-for-14 from the field and even went 2-for-5 from three.

He was instrumental in a big Lakers victory that came just one month before he was eventually dealt.

2023-24 Outlook

It’s unclear what Westbrook’s market will be this summer an an unrestricted free agent, but he has received interest from the Clippers in retaining him and the Chicago Bulls from his time as a buyout candidate. It’s possible they are still hoping to add him.

Westbrook is likely valued somewhere around between the taxpayer and non-taxpayer mid-level exception, or between $5 and $12 million this season. It remains to be seen if he’ll get that and from where if he does.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers Rumors: Team Stands To Make $12 Million From Spectrum SportsNet TV Contract By Playing 8 NBA Seeding Games

Among all the other things that the return of this NBA season means, at or around the top of the list as it always…

Metta World Peace Reaches Out to Lakers Fans Via Twitter

Now that Metta World Peace can only hope that the Los Angeles…

Lakers Injury Updates: Brandon Ingram Receives Treatment, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Progressing, Lonzo Ball Not Yet Practicing

While the Los Angeles Lakers will have Kyle Kuzma (left hand fifth metacarpal joint sprain) available for Friday’s game…

Lakers News: Damian Lillard Believes LeBron James Is Still NBA’s Best Player

Arguments over the best player in the league today have really heated up this offseason after an unbelievable 2019 NBA…