"No Lakers discussion matters until they trade Russ” – Nick Wright believes Russell Westbrook has a critical history with his previous teams, asserts Lakers to trade him for a sharpshooter

The LA Lakers simply aren't a good team at the moment, and many blame that on future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook. Analyst Nick Wright is among those.

"No Lakers discussion matters until they trade Russ," Wright said. "It's not just about getting him off the team. It's about trying to find them shooting."

The criticism comes with choosing to play with a big-market team with a prestigious history like Los Angeles.

The Lakers, who went 33-49 last season, are off to an 0-1 start after losing 123-109 on Tuesday night at the Golden State Warriors, the defending champs.

If the Lakers have another bad year, it likely will be because they simply don't have any shooting.

LA Lakers guard Russell Westbrook

Trade options for Russell Westbrook

If the LA Lakers decide to trade Russell Westbrook, it's likely going to mean that they have to attach a future first-round pick with that deal. The one trade that many are suggesting is to send Westbrook to the Indiana Pacers in return for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. For that to happen, reports say that the Pacers want a first-round pick or two in return.

The Lakers find themselves in an interesting decision when it comes to trading away those first-round picks. They might decide to go all in right now with their current core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to win another title just like they did in 2020. But if they do, they may be jeopardizing their future.

Ultimately, the Lakers may have to capitalize on the championship window they have with LeBron James on the team. Whenever a team has a guy like him, it's going to find success if it surrounds him with the right players. The Lakers can worry about the future when that comes. Even so, the Lakers will likely spend more money than anybody in the NBA, so it shouldn't be much of an issue.

James signed a two-year extension, with a third year as a player option, in August.

Lakers' chances to make it into playoffs

With the roster as it is presently constructed, it doesn't seem likely that the Lakers will make the playoffs.

They might be able to sneak into the play-in tournament, but it still doesn't seem likely.

The Warriors, Mavericks, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Clippers, Suns and even maybe the Kings are better than Los Angeles right now.