LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling this season thanks to some poor shooting performances. Michael Jordan, who was on a Nike commercial with LeBron before joining Ohio State’s football team as a wide receiver, is now rumored to be taking his talents back into basketball in order for him to save LeBron from an ultimate blowout at home against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The “russell westbrook hall of fame probability” is a statistic that has been released by ESPN. Michael Jordan’s decision to take over LeBron James’ team could ultimately save him from his Russell Westbrook nightmare.
LeBron James is now in a quagmire that he has created for himself.
LeBron James will miss the playoffs for just the fourth time in his career, as the Los Angeles Lakers’ disastrous season finds them on the outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament. They must now do all in their power to correct their errors and return to the top of the Western Conference by next season.
So, what should Los Angeles’ offseason preparations entail? Of course, trading Russell Westbrook is a possibility, and NBA icon Michael Jordan might rescue The King from his nightmare.
Russell Westbrook’s time with the Lakers has come to an end.
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Let’s be clear: Russell Westbrook has served as the Lakers’ scapegoat. When they traded for him last offseason, they understood what sort of player they were getting, and although he hasn’t been fantastic, he hasn’t been as horrible as some have made him out to be.
Westbrook is averaging fewer turnovers and a better shooting % this season than he was with the Washington Wizards last season, when everyone was praising him.
However, his chemistry with James and the rest of the roster has been disastrous. The Lakers are in the lowest half of the NBA in three-point field goals, long-range attempts, and shooting % from beyond the arc, so LeBron needs shooters around him. Westbrook has never been a shooter, and this season has been no exception. He’s just hitting 29.8% of his three-point attempts.
So, will the Lakers be able to get rid of him and reorganize their dreadful roster? It’s possible, but it’ll be challenging. Westbrook has a player option for next season worth $47 million, which he will almost certainly exercise. No club will want to pay him that unless they are seeking for a deal that will expire in the future to provide them financial freedom. Westbrook’s contract will expire next year.
Michael Jordan may be useful in this situation.
Russell Westbrook might be acquired by Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets.
Michael Jordan, the owner of the up-and-coming Charlotte Hornets, has long been a supporter of Russell Westbrook. The Hornets might allegedly trade for Westbrook in order to have an expiring deal, which would allow them to sign rising talents LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges to contract extensions in future seasons.
“While Hornets owner Michael Jordan has long been a Westbrook fan, it’s not obvious whether that would give such a trade proposal more life,” NBA writer Marc Stein wrote for Substack (h/t Sports Illustrated’s All Lakers). “However, numerous rival clubs have suggested the situation in recent weeks, illustrating the probability that the Lakers would be confined to deals in which they are the team taking on more long-term money if they want to get rid of Westbrook quickly.”
So, the issue has been resolved? No, not at all. The Lakers would need to sign guys that have many years remaining on their contracts. However, they could be a better match for The King.
Is this actually LeBron James’ best-case scenario?
| Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images; Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Michael Jordan and LeBron James (L-R)
To match contracts, the Hornets are expected to trade Gordon Hayward ($30.1 million next season) and Terry Rozier ($21.4 million). Rozier’s contract extends through 2025-26, while Hayward’s spans until 2023-24.
When LA could just split ways with Russell Westbrook after next season, that’s a big commitment.
However, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it would offer them a greater opportunity to make a splash.
As previously stated, James requires the presence of shooters. In 2016, when he won his third championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cavs were second in three-point field goal attempts and third in three-point field goal attempts. In terms of long-range shooting %, they were sixth.
Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward are two of the best shot creators in the NBA. The former has a 37.5 percent career three-point shooting percentage, while Hayward has a 37.1 percent career three-point shooting percentage. Rozier is hitting 37.4 percent of his long shots this season, while Hayward is hitting 39.1 percent.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have already shown their ability to win as a team. They only need the appropriate pieces to surround them (and some luck health-wise). While it may be a risk, the Lakers may be able to address their difficulties by contacting Michael Jordan’s team. It might enable LeBron come one step closer to matching Michael Jordan’s six championships.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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The “russell westbrook news” is a recent article that has been posted on the internet. The article talks about how Michael Jordan may ultimately save LeBron James from his Russell Westbrook nightmare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jordan feel about LeBron?
A: Jordan has no comment at this time.
What does MJ have over LeBron?
A: MJ has more championship rings.
Why does Michael Jordan and LeBron James have the same number?
A: Michael Jordan, #23. LeBron James, #6/23
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