Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook and his long-time former agent Thad Foucher are going their separate ways after working closely together over the last 14 NBA seasons.
It is over between Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook and his long-timer former agent, Thad Foucher.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news on Friday night that Foucher no longer represents Westbrook due to “irreconcilable differences.” It is suggested that there is “no longer full alignment with Westbrook about whether the former MVP should want to remain with the Lakers for the final season of his $47 million contract.” Foucher believes staying put is Westbrook’s best option.
Westbrook had been represented by Foucher since he was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the then-soon-to-be Oklahoma City Thunder out of UCLA.
If Westbrook were to be traded this summer, it would mark the fourth time in four years he has been moved since signing his contract with the Thunder. He has played for the Houston Rockets, the Washington Wizards and now the Lakers since leaving the NBA franchise he is most closely associated with. At 33-years-old, another trade could be a disaster for his career going forward.
Per Foucher’s statement obtained by Wojnarowski, he think a trade is awful for his former client.
“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. Russell is a first-ballot Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame player and will prove that again before he is retired.”
Foucher ended his statement citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their abrupt split.
“Unfortunately, irreconcilable differences exist as to his best pathway forward and we are no longer working together. I wish Russell and his family the very best.”
Westbrook is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but he has not exactly aged gracefully into his early 30s.
Russell Westbrook, long-time former agent Thad Foucher split after 14 years
Westbrook does not have to prove anything to anyone. He is a nine-time All-NBA performer and a former league MVP. He made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and has done seemingly everything possible in the association but win a league championship. He got close early in his career with the 2011-12 Thunder, but did come up empty-handed vs. LeBron James and company.
Though he and King James may have had a better relationship prior to linking up in Los Angeles last season, staying together for one more year and powering through the awkwardness will serve all parties involved. James could get his fifth NBA championship, Westbrook could get his first and the Lakers could get No. 18 as a franchise, putting them one ahead of the arch rival Boston Celtics.
Sadly, we all can read between the lines and understand precisely what is going on. Westbrook does not want to play for the Lakers anymore. His former agent wanted him to see the final year of his contract through before testing free agency next summer. Once again, Westbrook’s complete lack of any self-awareness will be to his own detriment. The Lakers may be decent, too.
It would be so hilarious if Westbrook was traded and the Lakers won the NBA Finals without him.