"Russell Westbrook is a washed-up bricklayer who needs to be traded immediately"- NBA analyst believes LA Lakers' PG is a scapegoat, but still needs to be traded immediately to have any chance at playoffs

Things clearly aren't working out for the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook, which means that a trade coming within the next few weeks or months is likely going to be the best-case scenario for this team. It's tough to put a finger on who we need to be blaming at this point, as both sides have the blame in both sides of the story. Russell Westbrook came into Los Angeles expecting to be one of the better players in all of basketball once again and that simply hasn't been the case.

However, with all the criticism that he has faced, it might not all be warranted. The Los Angeles Lakers have made him out to be the scapegoat and it's almost unfair to him because there's more than just one reason why this team has struggled to start the season.

Westbrook hasn't played well once again this season and it's caused an uproar from the media and Lakers fans.

NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor had some tough words for the future Hall-of-Famer

“Russell Westbrook is a washed-up bricklayer who needs to be traded immediately for the Los Angeles Lakers to have any chance of saving their season.”

Darvin Ham had some interesting things to say to reporters about his team making the right plays.

“I don’t want any of my players to be hesitant taking shots. I don’t want to give them any type of complex. I want them confident in their ability to score from all over the floor,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham told reporters after Sunday’s game. “His percentages haven’t been high. But Russ can make a 3-point shot. So it’s a matter of stepping up. If you’re gonna take it, you have to step up and make it. That’s pretty much it.”

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

When Will The Lakers Trade Westbrook?

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have a difficult decision to make when they have to come through on an agreement to trade Russell Westbrook. The team hasn't made many great moves in terms of free-agent signings and trades throughout the past few seasons, but they absolutely have to get this one right if they want to win an NBA title within the next two seasons with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Time is clicking for those two as LeBron is only going to get older and we always have to worry about Anthony Davis being injured.

If a trade happens within the next few weeks to months, it would certainly make sense from both perspectives. Not only would it help the Los Angeles Lakers at the moment, but if they can get shooters back Russell Westbrook, it would be great for them. It would also be great for Westbrook in himself to be able to go somewhere else and play the type of basketball that he's been able to play for 90% of his career.

The Lakers don't have much more time to get this thing right, and this is likely going to be the biggest story for the remainder of the NBA season until something does happen. Obviously, both sides aren't enjoying each other's company, so his departure should be happening any day now.