Grading the Lakers' Offseason: Was Westbrook the Right Move? Guest, SI's Michael Pina

The Lakers took a massive swing this offseason, reconstructing what was already considered a championship roster around a trade for Russell Westbrook, adding to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and giving the Lakers a genuine Big Three. As has been discussed, the move comes with great potential benefits, but also plenty of potential problems. Nobody believes the Lakers won't be good - excellent if everyone is healthy - but was the Westbrook move really the best solution to last year's problems? Michael Pina, the outstanding NBA writer for Sports Illustrated, doesn't think so. In his evaluation of the Lakers' offseason, he expressed real concerns about the fit, and wondered whether the Lakers might have better off with something more simple (the potential Buddy Hield deal, for example). And if you don't like the Westbrook deal, it's hard to love everything that came after, even if the Lakers spent what money they had wisely. He joins the show, explaining his grade for LA, where he thinks the problems might come, looking around the rest of the Western Conference, and much, much more. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Michael Pina SEGMENT 1: Why he doesn't like the Westbrook deal. Where the problems could come, and what the ripple effects of the trade mean for the roster. (Note: There will be contextually appropriate Mitch Kupchak impressions!) SEGMENT 2: More Westbrook talk. How can the Lakers maximize Westbrook's strengths while minimizing his weaknesses? How much this is actually about Russ, as opposed to coaching schemes and such? SEGMENT 3: Looking around the West. What teams are most likely to challenge the Lakers? And is there any chance the NBA doesn't rig the thing so everyone gets what they want - a Lakers vs. Nets Final? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! SweatBlock Get it today for 20% off at SweatBlock.com with promo code LockedOn, or at Amazon and CVS. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Indeed Get started RIGHT NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/LOCKED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices