The Lakers Made the Most Unnecessary Trade in NBA History.. 

And it’s crazy cause we could’ve traded for Buddy Hield, signed Demar, resigned Caruso, and your team is balanced…

“Before you rage and hit that dislike button that don’t even matter anymore” Damn😭

I agree with you. I feel bad for Westbrook too. I was at the game last Thursday: Lakers vs Clippers. Every time Westbrook got the ball on offense, Clippers fans were all like "Shoot the ball!" repeatedly and Lakers fans were all like "NO, don't shoot!" repeatedly. It was hilarious and savage at the same time. Westbrook is an incredible athlete and it's sad how much hate he gets in L.A. as a L.A. native.

Buddy Hield was RIGHT THERE for taking…😔🤦🏾‍♂️

The moment they broke up that 2019-20 team was the moment their championship window slam shut.

I really wondered why did the Lakers change their roster so much after winning the title? They didn't tweak but changed half the team and messed up everything

Unnecessary is an understatement. This was just a bad decision and poor fit. I doubt a real GM would have made this deal. This is the type of roster that a 10 year old playing 2k makes when they don't understand basketball and just want to stack big names together. Lebron is a great player, but seems to make really poor roster decisions when he forces his input on the GM

They gambled that Russ could carry them through the regular season so Bron and AD could rest. Russ can't play well unless he is the dominant ball handler

Lakers dont need another all star, they need average player who can deliver consistently on a daily basis. Like 2020 line up, lots of consistent player even not all star

The lakers needed turnovers so they got Westbrook

The lakers were scared of the threat of the nets big 3 so they sought out for what they thought would be their 3rd star but things haven’t gone as planned

I wish they kept the championship team so they could run it back again. The chemistry was crazy, I miss McGee and Caruso and everyone on that team.

Should of kept our championship squad. That team and it’s chemistry was so elite and so fun to watch

The nets and lakers finals looks like a joke now 🤣

Everyone knew this was a bad trade when it happened. I think LeBron thought he could get Russ to play more efficiently but Russ can only play one way, as fast as possible on offense so he can fill up the stat sheet and get a triple double at all costs and slow down on defense and just wait for a missed shot so he can get a rebound.

As a Lakers fan this video is pure pain. Feels like you're twisting the knife in. Love your videos bro so high quality

They was leaving this man open in the playoffs, yet the traded for him???

I disagree with trading for Buddy or Russ. I think the Lowry trade was the best option because lakers wouldn’t have to pay Schroeder or THT and also Lowry is a great playmaker good shooter and off ball player and his defense is better than Russ or Buddy. Also before the trade deadline the Lakers needed help with someone to lead the team when bron and AD was injured and Schroeder did nothing and it was pretty bad. Lowry coulda at least kept them a float preventing them from the play in tournament like when he was carrying the heat without jimmy or bam

What's crazy is this 1) They were in the middle of getting Buddy Hield + cap space to sign more players 2) We ALL saw this coming. We all foresaw the problems they're having, mostly the FIT of the team

7:30 The crazy part is, that before LeBron, the Lakers were one of the youngest teams in the NBA, with one of the brightest futures, now theyre one of the oldest teams in the NBA, with little to no future. They likely sacrificed a future dynasty with *multiple chips* so they could go into win now mode with LeBron.

i also think the james harden trade was unnecessary, with report with him wanting to leave the nets if you look back what they had to give up for him the trade was unnecessary they would have had the duo of kd and kyrie with a solid big in allen and other scoring option with a good bench and defense

Always on time for these vids

I don't know, as experiments go. The Lakers getting Steve Nash and Dwight may have been bigger.

7:45 onwards, the way you listed all of our problems, it's like something went off in my head that made me realize just how fucked we are for the next few years

If the Lakers vs Nets finals don't happen, both teams might as well blow it up.

Russell Westbrook I've never seen a reputation go down the drain so quickly.

you are right on point. The game is always evolving and changing. Coaches trying new stuff every game, creativity is really driving the game.

The Lakers made the same mistake in 2013 when they brought in Nash, Howard, Artest, Odom. Vets just don't have the energy to run the floor all 4 quarters. Its a different game from the 1980s and 90s.

I said it at the time, and I've been saying it ever since. Russ was literally the worst player in the NBA that the Lakers could have traded for. Nobody combined the utterly horrendous fit with the monstrous contract like Russ did. They would have been better off signing their entire D-League roster.

100% agree, that trade was extremely unnecessary... they couldn't have gone for like Kyle Lowry or kept Caruso?.... naw gotta get a 44 million dollar paper weight

I still don't understand how LeBron, one of the highest IQ players ever, saw Westbrook, saw how they defended him 2020, and still thought he could somehow make it work

Just found your channel not even a week ago but this is a great basketball channel bro just wanna say I appreciate it and hope you’re seeing that benefits of your hard work with these videos

I just don't understand how us regular Joe basketball fans could see this trade being the worst thing they could do from a mile away, yet people who work to actually construct this team couldn't see it. I really hope they get to trade him before the deadline. I just want pieces back, solid players. If I could choose, I'd want Brogdon, but that seems far too out of reach for them

Just a good high IQ take, a lot of knowledge in this video most people wouldn’t be privy to, if not for your passion for the game.

Thanks for the break down man, taught me alot 🙏

Great video, you definitely pointed out the major events that caused this horrible situation

I feel like the Lakers need to trade Westbrook for another good PG. Prime Westbrook was a GOAT, maybe because when he was on the Thunder, his playstyle 'worked' because he was the main player on the Thunder. But now, he needs to figure out his flaws in order to try to win with LBJ & The Lakers.

They could of kept Caruso (who is way cheaper), signed Buddy Hield (who’d a sniper that they need), and sign Demar (whose been a stud). My lord. Instead, they went and got the most impossible superstar to win with

My guy had all types of reciepts 😏Probabaly the most accurate and fair account of the Lakers i've seen in a while.

The hell with the Kyle Lowry trade that made all the sense in the world. Buddy Hield was not only on the table, but the deal was damn near a done deal. And then the rumors of a potential Russel Westbrook trade came and I honestly thought it was a joke. I mean, the 2020 Playoffs against Houston made it *CLEAR* to me that the Lakers of all teams would never make the trade. And then the trade talks actually got real-and came through and while immediately I was excited because I liked Russ still, it took less than 12 hours for me to fall apart…because I knew my team would. We lost our identity, we gained a player who doesn’t fit *WHATSOEVER,* and as if that wasn’t bad enough, we let Alex Caruso go. We lost our Rick Fox in a trade, and then we lost our Derek Fisher to free agency. This front office has to go, plain and simple. Everybody who okay’d this needs to be fired.

If we had Buddy Hield instead of Russ we'd prob be a top 3 seed lol we would still have KCP and Trez as trade bait now too

This is what happens when the Lakers are so fixated on getting big names instead of balance and investing in younger stars. They have been doing this for years and it always ends in turmoil. During the off-season I never believed that this was going to be a great Laker team. I never been a delusional Laker fan that kept saying "It's only 25 games in! We got time!"

The craziest part to me is not only we’re there seemingly better options, Buddy Heild etc. But the Lakers would’ve actually been better off by not doing anything. Basically everybody they traded away is having a good season.

Agree with you 100%. So many overreactions by the Lakers front office due to the unfortunate events of last season. They had a core with reliable depth but were willing to let crucial pieces go just to take a big risk that hasn't worked out as of yet.

I agree bro. Everyone knew it was a bad fit when the rumors started swirling. A lot of people put their trust in LeBron to find a way to make it work. Russ needs the ball and floor spacing. He’s not gonna get the ball as much as he needs as a third option. Now all the deficiencies in his game are being highlighted because when he does get the ball and make a mistake, he’s not getting 5 more possessions straight to try to make up for it. His defense also getting exposed. When he on-ball in the half court he is decent, but his off-ball defense is awful.

2k22 Lakers was what the front office were thinking the real life lakers would’ve been

THANK YOU, been saying this since the trade happened, guys like monk, melo, buddy hield are great complements to last years defensive minded roster, not gutting the whole team for a inconsistent star who is aging, declining, and a playoff performer

Especially seeing how everything ended, I am beyond speechless at Pelinka & Buss blowing up a championship roster. I don’t like the Lakers at all but I almost feel bad for em.

We've all put so much praise on Lakers management and Pelinka recently.. Your breakdown of what lead the Lakers to feel cornered and make this westhorrorshow trade really does makes the Lakers look like absolute idiots today Great video

Nah. I disagree. The thinking behind bringing Westbrook to the Lakers was simple. When LeBron goes to the bench, because he’s 37 years old, and you’re 19, Westbrook could continue to run the offense. It’s simple. People are really making this a bigger deal than it has to be. In theory, bringing Westbrook in was genius. Unfortunately, his play is a lot worse than anyone anticipated.

Man that was an awesome analysis, great recap

Thank you for getting straight to the point and not spending 3 minutes on an intro!!’ Love the channel!!

Demar Derozen thought he was a lock to go to the Lakers until LeBron wanted Russ instead😂

Lebron wanted Westbrook because he saw the nets in the east that’s why they made the trade

This was a perfect blend of statistical evidence basketball knowledge/observational analysis, and common sense. Which like usually one KD those is missing from the discussion.

Alex Caruso is a really important KEY. Young, defensive minded, and pretty decent in scoring.

Thank u swish. I’ve been telling people that the Lakers wouldn’t be that good with Westbrook. And tbh with Giannis in the NBA and him being the 🐐 it’s going to be hard for any team to beat the bucks

They could have kept Caruso and went for another player that actually added some PG game to the team, also, the signing of Melo for the price is a steal, melo has been hooping beyond what he is being paid.

I’m feeling this style of video keep it up

You know what's even crazier? I think Washington got worse after that trade, too. We see at least a few times every year when a trade happens and one team gets better while the other gets worse, I don't think I can remember the last time there was a trade this big that hurt *both* teams.

We could've had Demar DeRozan and kept alex Caruso and still would've been able to get malik monk but unfortunately we got that man I don't even want to say his name right now

if we didnt sign Westbrook. resigned Caruso. we wouldve still had Kuz and Harrell on the roster. and signed DeRozan cuz he wanted to come to LA. Lakers would be on top no doubt about it.

Depressed Lakers fan here. You on point Swish. When AD has been on the floor for these past 4-5 games, Lakers have had a top 5 defense, in just those select minutes. Small sample size but he is definitely the answer to our defensive problems... while Russ will only continue to cause more of those problems lol.

Great video!!!! You spit only facts !!

Isn't it amazing, how every team LeBron James was on got themselves into the same dead end within 3 to 5 years? Just because LeBron always forces you to trade your promising players with development potential for old, established stars, that might be past their prime... and because he gets his buddies paid... The problem: this time, he can't just leave. I can't wait for LeBron to become a GM someday, just to hear him preach Patience with young players, which he never had as a player. Just imagine Andrew Wiggins getting mentored by James, making the development he shows now years earlier under proper guidance and the Cavs could still dominate, even if Kyrie is... well... Kyrie...

Kuzma wasn’t that bad

Love ya swishout

9:30 this stat makes this whole video worthwhile

I knew once this trade happened it’s was gonna to be a new 2017 Cavs, I love Russ but he shouldn’t went to the Lakers with Lebron James, who play styles are alike. They should keep the guys that they have and then Trade for Rajon Rondo. Russ need to get outta there he is not the same

If LeBron was smart he'd get traded back to the Cavs right now. Haters would have the best day of their life but that's LeBron's only chance of winning a ring this year.

Great vid. As always

I remember people thought this team was a superteam 🤣🤣💀

I’m sure Brooklyn Nets would like to contest that “worst trade in the last 20 years” claim 🥴

Lakers trying so hard to lose. It’s like they enjoy annoying Swishout

That line about the worst trade of the last 2 decades had me dead at first but there’s definitely some truth to it. This ad/Russ/lbj hasn’t looked great yet but there’s still time I guess. Swishout know his stuff, he jus bolder than most. Great stuff as always

Demar Derozan was my ideal pick up last summer. Now looks at him. SMH. I guess LeBron thought Russ could carry the regular season, but that dude selling. I know y’all saw that layup on Randal.

Jesus loves you and is the only way to heaven

Russ will bounce back only having a bad season he'll bounce back for sure.

love the content bro! make some vids on the raptors and their development program, how gary trent jr is becoming a star and how fred vanvleet went from undrafted to nba champ and all star

Big facts good video

I’m going to always support the brothers!

I'm just waiting for the 30 for 30 doc one day about this... When all parties walk away from this time, many secrets will come out...

"Rob Pelinka: you can choose 1 million dollars, 1000 shares of Apple stock, or this paper bag that most likely is filled with doggie doo. What do you choose?" Rob: "I'll take the paper bag, John. I have a good feeling about this."

💛💜 even Kuz thought he gonna go to Sactown.. damn. This is blown out of proportions.

YOU ARE SPEAKING THE TRUTH 💜💛

Keep doing what u doing bro

10:00 “their coach’s mental health” LMAOOOO

You are 100% right!! Like your videos!!

“Before you hit that dislike button that doesn’t even matter anymore” 💀 💀

I agree with pretty much everything said in this video but I also feel like the Nets played a pretty big part in the Lakers going after Russ. I bet they felt confident they could beat any team in the league with Bron/AD + role players except for a healthy Brooklyn. They believed they had to have 3 ‘superstars’ to beat them in a 7 game series

I was at the Knicks-Lakers game. Its sad that both Knick’s and Lakers’ fans were booing Russ for missing and bricking shots and free throws.

5:43 damn bro you just dropping gems out here

the lakers are prime example of a team that looks good on paper but actually not really a good team

You are absolutely correct. 💯 % spot on.

The Lakers panicked when they say Harden to the Nets and tried to match them superstar wise that's it

Good take 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

As a life long Lakers fan this video shouldn't get hate, because you're absolutely right. Very well thought out points, very informative. I've seen your other stuff, too. Subbed.

“Hit that dislike button that doesn’t even matter anymore” 😂🤝

I knew it was a bad trade when Lakers now had TWO Primary Ball Handlers. Russ should go to a team where he again, is the Leader, Primary Ball Handler .

The 2020-21 Lakers team was underrated in my opinion. The roster was deep and full of talent