The Los Angeles Lakers made all the headlines around the NBA last night. Not because of their draft picks but because they were adding another All-Star next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis: Russell Westbrook.
Rob Pelinka got his wish of adding an All-NBA kind of point guard and create a Big 3, even if that meant parting ways with most of their important role players and even if the fit was questionable, to say the least.
But, according to a report by CBS Sports' Bill Reiter, there was a 'strong level of disagreement' within the Lakers about trading for the Washington Wizards star, considering they didn't need him at this point.
CBS Sports: Not Everyone In The Lakers Wanted To Trade For Russell Westbrook
"There was a strong level of disagreement within that organization about whether or not Russell Westbrook was ultimately the guy that they needed to pursue with the picks and the players that are now headed to Washington," Reiter started. "I communicated with one Lakers source who was not excited about the Westbrook trade, he said, in the end, the star power and belief by Rob Pelinka that Westbrook and his track record of excellence are going to be what the Lakers need even though he's an interesting pairing."
Westbrook is one of the most polarizing players in the league. He's been putting up videogame-like numbers for years, yet his erratic decision-making and - lack of - shooting make him a bit of a coin-toss at times.
Then again, every time you have the chance to pair three of the best players in the league to make another run at an NBA Championship, you do it, especially when it comes to a California native with strong ties to the organization. Now, it's time to get spare parts and a good supporting cast.
