Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has signed with Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports after parting ways with long-time agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman a little over two weeks ago, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The change in representation comes at a time where Westbrook’s name has been swirling around in trade rumours for several months with little traction.
Westbrook parted ways with Foucher in mid-July after 14 years, who cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split.
“I represented Russell Westbrook for 14 years and am proud of our partnership,” Foucher said in a statement to ESPN.
“With a possibility of a fourth trade in four years, the marketplace is telling the Lakers they must add additional value with Russell in any trade scenario. And even then, such a trade may require Russell to immediately move on from the new team via buyout.
“My belief is that this type of transaction only serves to diminish Russell’s value and his best option is to stay with the Lakers, embrace the starting role and support that Darvin Ham publicly offered … Unfortunately, irreconcilable differences exist as to his best pathway forward and we are no longer working together.”
Following a disastrous first season with the Lakers, Westbrook’s relationship with key members of the organisation has reportedly soured.
Westbrook averaged 18.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 7.1 apg this past season in Los Angeles, shooting .444 from the field and .298 from three as the team failed to qualify for the play-in.
The 33-year-old appears to be at a career crossroads and, whilst he has not reportedly approached the front office with a trade request, would seemingly prefer to depart the Lakers.
Westbrook opted into the fifth and final year of his max-contract this offseason worth $47.1 million.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has made contact with multiple teams regarding a Westbrook trade, however, an unwillingness to include a multiple future first-round picks has halted conversations.
The Lakers are reportedly holding out hope that they are able to re-engage the Brooklyn Nets on a potential deal for disgruntled guard Kyrie Irving after initial conversations proved futile.
They also engaged the Indiana Pacers on deal that would see them acquire Buddy Hield and Myles Turner in exchange for Westbrook and draft capital, which the Pacers reportedly declined.
The Charlotte Hornets are the only other team that has been seriously floated as a potential trade partner, however, that trail seemingly went cold a while back.
Schwartz has a history of negotiating expensive buyouts including Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Andre Drummond and, whilst a buyout is likely not an option the Lakers are considering, potential trade partners will should they acquire the nine-time All-Star.
The Westbrook situation is hanging over the Lakers’ head like a storm cloud and, whilst incoming head coach Darvin Ham has offered public support for the veteran, it is difficult to envision a scenario in which the team is competitive sans a trade.
The front office has made a concerted effort to embrace younger players rather than veterans with the likes Damian Jones, Lonnie Walker IV, Thomas Bryant, Troy Brown Jr. and Juan Toscano-Anderson among their offseason signings.
