NBA Rumors: Lakers Asking Coaching Candidates How To Handle Westbrook

Will Russell Westbrook be back with the Los Angeles Lakers next season? That will be the burning question in La La Land for the next few months. But it's worth noting that during their interview process with head coaching candidates, Lakers' brass has posed the question to each coaching hopeful about how they'd utilize Westbrook if they got the job. 

NBA Insider Marc Stein opines, however, that while they are challenging the candidates about Russ usage, he still "can't imagine a scenario where Westbrook starts next season as a Laker", even if that means releasing him and working out some kind of buyout.

As Stein puts it, the Lakers know, with a new coach on board, "that the fresh-start atmosphere they hope to create when training camp begins in September will be extremely difficult to foster if Westbrook is still on the roster."

Nevertheless, broaching the subject with the potential new coach is just doing their due diligence, and making sure all bases are covered, and there are no surprises.  

The Lakers have actually narrowed their search down to a Final Three, it seems, and a decision could be coming in the not too distant future. 

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