Reports: Russell Westbrook has played himself out of LA Lakers trade contention with strong play

After a rough first season with the LA Lakers, many expected Russell Westbrook to be on the move this season. Very early on, it became clear that the former MVP was not an ideal fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Rumors swirled to open the year but died down after it was clear the Lakers didn't want to part with their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. However, it appears they have changed their minds in regards to Russell Westbrook.

Head coach Darvin Ham made the executive decision to move Russell Westbrook to the bench, and it has paid off greatly. Since moving to the second unit, the nine-time All-Star has become much more effective for LA.

The team has been so impressed with his play off the bench that Russell Westbrook might end the year with the Lakers. Sam Amick of The Athletic recently reported that the Lakers might hold on to Russ past the trade deadline:

"According to a source with knowledge of the Lakers' plans, Westbrook's play this past month has made it increasingly unlikely that he will be traded before the league's Feb. 9 deadline."

In 23 games as a reserve this year, Westbrook is averaging 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

Should the Lakers hold on to Russell Westbrook following his impressive run off the bench?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers.

Darvin Ham and the LA Lakers might have found a way to make Russell Westbrook more effective, but that should not change their stance on a trade. Westbrook only fixes one of their many issues.

Even with Westbrook playing at a higher level, the Lakers still sit outside the playoff picture with a record of 11-16. This is in large part due to the fact that their supporting cast is incredibly underwhelming compared to the rest of the league.

Over the past month, Westbrook has managed to salvage some of his value. Instead of letting his contract ride out, they should be looking to get a return on their investment. There is a chance they could move him now and land depth pieces to fill out their rotation.

Anthony Davis is playing at an MVP level and LeBron James is still a high-impact player. The Lakers should look to capitalize on this by upgrading their supporting cast. This cannot be done unless they move Westbrook and his massive contract.

Westbrook's emergence has been a nice feel-good story, but if the Lakers want to be back in the playoffs, they need to keep trade ideas on the table.