Russell Westbrook Rumors: Execs Think Lakers May Keep PG amid Strong Play off Bench

The $47 million question mark surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers is whether or not Russell Westbrook will remain on the roster or be traded.

His potential departure may be less inevitable now that he's playing well in a reserve role.

If he continues to produce off the bench, some executives believe the Lakers will stand pat.

Over the course of three games, as a starter, he averaged just 10.3 points, 6.7 rebound, 4.3 assists and two steals, shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from three. The Lakers didn't win a single game in those contests.

Since coming off the bench, he's averaged 16.8 points, 8.6 assists and five rebound per game, shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three, a huge improvement over his career shooting percentage.

When he comes off the bench, the Lakers are just 4-7, but the difference in his play and the chemistry of the starting 5 has been significant.

The direction of the team is moving in the right direction according to the player. You can't ask for anything else.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

"We just freed him up to go be Russ. ... When Russ is out there, we want him to be exactly who he is."@Lakers head coach Darvin Ham shares with @malika_andrews how Westbrook has embraced his new role. pic.twitter.com/nwfxkZPFkF

The fact that $47 million of the team's payroll is going to a player coming off the bench doesn't change the fact that he doesn't fit with the Lakers' two best players.

The Lakers are stabilizing after a slow start, but it's hard to believe that this is a team that can win a title. It makes sense to trade for quality players who fit alongside James and AD the most logical solution.

According to Scotto, the Lakers offered a lottery-protected first-round pick and Westbrook to the San Antonio Spurs for Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott, but the Spurs wanted an protected first-round pick.

In late October, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Lakers and Pacers discussed the framework of a deal that would have sent Turner and Hield to LA for Westbrook, but the talks hit a roadblock over draft considerations. The Pacers wanted the Lakers to give up their first-round picks.

draft considerations will be a part of the equation if the Lakers get off of Westbrook's salary It's most likely that the team's best bet is to deal the veteran point guard to another team.

Perhaps the Lakers have been given a bit of patience and a bit of leverage in the pursuit of that player.