Ex-Blazers Coach Willing To Help Russell Westbrook Fit Into Lakers System

It seems that the Los Angeles Lakers will be stuck with Russell Westbrook for the coming season unless something uncanny crops up.

NBA teams are allegedly asking the Lakers to include a first-round pick in any Russell Westbrook trade scenario.

Unfortunately, the franchise has no intention of adhering to that request according to sources in a report by Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

A big issue tied to Westbrook is the huge money he is owed as the 33-year-old is due about $47 million in salary, and clubs in the league are not that inclined to pick up the tab.

Although it may appear like a bluff on the part of the Lakers who are presumed to be pulling all strings to get rid of Westbrook and his humongous contract, league sources feel suggest that the team is pinning their hopes on their next head coach.

The Lakers have been conducting their second round of interviews for the head coaching vacancy.

Darvin Ham, Terry Stotts and Kenny Atkinson are among the familiar names that are being considered for the job, but there is no clarity on who will get the post.

Whoever the Lakers choose to succeed Frank Vogel will have his work cut out.

Aside from that person having to co-exist with LeBron James, he will need to find a way to bring out the beast in Westbrook for the next campaign.

Stotts, the former coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner for the head coaching vacancy.

According to Mark Medina of NBA.com, Stotts is allegedly interested in the prospect of coaching Westbrook, believing he has the solution to make it all work.

It was not detailed on what Stotts has up his sleeves. But the key thing to consider here is that he is willing to help Westbrook recall his old form and show the Lakers’ management what he is truly capable of.

While that would make sense, the next question is will he be able to manage James and Anthony Davis, assuming he gets named as the next Lakers head coach.