Former OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook dealt to LA Lakers

The OKC Thunder and NBA world saw surprising news go down just hours before the NBA Draft. The Thunder saw their former franchise star, the next player in line to have his jersey retired in the Paycom Center, and soon to have a statue outside the arena, shipped to the L.A. Lakers.

For the third straight offseason, Westbrook has been traded to a new team, a new organization, but this time a familiar city. The Oklahoma City fan favorite is heading back to his state, California.

Former OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook was traded to the Lakers

What feels like a decade in the making, and with no shortage of pre-made photoshop jersey swaps, the LA Lakers add hometown hero Russell Westbrook. The UCLA product, who has already made history in this league, is in search of that elusive first NBA Championship.

The nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, three-time assist champ, who has made nine All-NBA teams, and the 2016-17 NBA MVP is teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in LaLa Land.

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This will be the best chance of capturing a ring since Westbrook was teammates with Kevin Durant.

Sure, there are some concerns with this fit. Mainly spacing, but LeBron has consistently made teammates better and found ways to maximize the roster around him.

With AD and LBJ more comfortable playing the center and power forward spots, it makes room for Westbrook leading the charge as the point guard. Barring health, the Purple and Gold will be must-watch TV.

For Westbrook, this will be a legacy-defining move. If anyone is up for the challenge, it is Russ. However, the unfair slander will only grow louder if he butts-heads with King James, and things go south with the Lakers.

Though, if the LA trio wins a title, the toxic behavior of NBA stan culture silently fades away. Westbrook gets his respect and gets to rise the Larry O’Brien for his hometown team.

Are you rooting for the Lakers this season now that they have added Russell Westbrook?