Lakers Rumors: Source Says Russell Westbrook Trade 'Removed Vampire from Locker Room'

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired D'Angelo Russell and more in a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, but some believe getting rid of Russell Westbrook was beneficial enough.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin provided a breakdown on NBA Today:

"This was the time to do it. Russell Westbrook was not going to be part of this team after the summer when his contract expired, and also when his contract came off the books the Lakers would have less money to deal with in the free agency period this summer.

"You get younger, you got shooting, you got switchable defenders, and as one source told me, you remove a vampire from the locker room. That meaning, a vampire sucks the blood out of the locker room. Russell Westbrook moves on."

The Lakers sent Westbrook and more to the Jazz in the trade while receiving Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.

The move should help the Lakers on the court, giving the team some better fits with quality shooters who can spread the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. D'Angelo Russell is averaging 17.9 points per game this season, shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range, and should be a reliable third option for Los Angeles.

Beasley has struggled with consistency, but he's a 38 percent career three-point shooter who can also help on the defensive end. Vanderbilt should provide valuable depth in the post as a two-way forward who can take pressure off Davis inside.

Beyond these additions, getting rid of Westbrook could make the Lakers better after the guard's struggles over the past two years.

The nine-time All-Star averaged 15.9 points per game this season, but his 41.7 field-goal percentage was his lowest since his rookie season. He's been worth just 0.5 win shares this season, with his .016 win shares per 48 minutes by far the lowest of his career.

Westbrook has also caused problems off the court, including a heated exchange with head coach Darvin Ham on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Dealing away the 34-year-old could allow the remaining players to focus on winning and get the Lakers back into playoff contention. The squad entered Thursday just 13th in the Western Conference with a 25-30 record.