Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers have not been a match made in heaven. In his first season with the team, Westbrook had a dramatic fall-off, and there isn't much hope that he can turn things around. While Westbrook will tell you that his play boiled down to Frank Vogel's incompetence, there are others who think new head coach Darvin Ham isn't even enough to turn the tide.
Over the past few weeks, there has been this sense that the Lakers fully intend on keeping Westbrook. The original plan was to find a way to trade Westbrook, however, it was becoming clear that his trade value had tanked and that it would not be possible given last year's horrendous play.