Prominent NBA representative Thad Foucher formally parted ways with Lakers star Russell Westbrook on Friday citing “irreconcilable differences”. The 33-year-old point guard’s agent advised him to stay with the Lakers for the upcoming season before parting ways. Incidentally, Russell Westbrook has the option to exercise a $47 million player option for the last year of his contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to trade Russell Westbrook since the beginning of the offseason. The 2017 MVP had to bear the brunt of the blame for the Lakers’ dismal showing in the 2021-22 season. However, the LA franchise hasn’t been able to reach an agreement with any team in the league.
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As it turns out, no team is ready to pay Westbrook’s exorbitant salary without receiving multiple first-round draft picks. But the Lakers are reluctant to give up future picks with their current rigid cap space. Therefore, all parties are at an impasse.
NBA Fans react to Russell Westbrook and his agent parting ways
Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook’s agent Thad Foucher parted ways with the Lakers star citing “irreconcilable differences”, ESPN reported on Friday night. The distinguished NBA rep. has been Westbrook’s agent for 14 years, ever since the 6’3″ guard left UCLA to get drafted in the NBA as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) was given a technical foul for his reaction after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
In fact, Foucher negotiated a super-max deal and a max extension for the former OKC star. He also aided Westbrook’s escapades in the fashion industry. Furthermore, the veteran agent initiated his three most recent trades, including the move to his hometown, LA.
Meanwhile, NBA fans flooded social media after news of Russell Westbrook and his agent parting ways broke out.
Well this seals it, get this dude off this team.
— Big Red (@mrhl2008) July 16, 2022
@russwest44 is not a Hall of Famer. If he is then so is Carmelo.
D. Wade would be a comparable example of a Hall of Fame shooting guard.— basedKeeper💰🚗👕💃 (@basedKeeper) July 16, 2022
That’s just the thing. It’s ALWAYS been about what’s best for him! Not the team!
It’s best for HIM bc he’s in the spotlight, bc the whole world doesn’t know that the league has no value for him & that the team he plays for doesn’t want him.
It’s not good for the Lakers at all.
— Derek (@Chaperian) July 16, 2022
Man be quiet the Lakers added the wrong players to support the big 3 and then the three players they traded for Russ didn’t even help bring the team he brought to the playoffs let alone the play-in.
— Mr.HandsomeForNoReason (@KerrionteFair) July 16, 2022
He fired his agent because he told him the truth and said his value is in the gutter? Lol
— I’M A FAMILY MAN (@futureof2k) July 16, 2022
Lakers fans don’t deserve a player as good as Westbrook.
— Honest A (@GuitarFamilyMan) July 16, 2022
Basically 😂 we all know Russ is future HOF but that does nothing for his trade value rn in 2022 when you look at how much he makes vs how much he actually contributes (effectively) lol he gettin paid like MVP Russ when those days are long gone
— CJ (@schwifty00) July 16, 2022
99% of y’all aren’t reading this right. The Lakers want to trade Russ but his value is all time low right now. Agent thinks it’s best for Russ to stay in LA and rebuild trade value. Clearly this means Russ is comfortable moving on but believes he has more value than he has
— Flak (@PoppaFlak) July 16, 2022
Coming back w/ the Lakers next season would require Russ play real defense, cut & screen off-ball and be held accountable for it.
He aint about that!
Russ just wants to go average a triple double somewhere w no expectations, bc thats how he explicitly judges his performance.
— Cesar (@alainator) July 16, 2022
Isn't the agent supposed to act on behalf of the client? Idc if russ wanting out is dumb, it's not the agent's job to let their opinion of their client's request get in the way. If the client wants to be traded, it's your job to try to get them traded. Am I missing something?
— Sir Beaver Beaverton (@Jawarhalahl) July 16, 2022
Russ thinks he is lebron. Nobody else does. The agent told him the truth and he didn’t like it.
— chris (@Blazer_Chris_) July 16, 2022
An unbelievable statement. Also a damning one for Lakers brass. Why was this agent so confident Westbrook had an assured starting role on the Lakers?? That's the question I want answered.
— Fashi! (@FloridaNaija) July 16, 2022
he just revealed publically what nba twitter been knowing unofficially: that russ's market value has bottomed out. that only way to rebuild his value is to play well next season. what we didnt know what that other teams have told him they would waive him! that aint WoJ rumor!!
— HabteSabroso (@habte_sabroso) July 16, 2022
Russ is an all time great individual player. But, has he ever made 1 single team he’s ever been on overall more successful?
— The Nature Boy Dick Hammer (@EssentialBusin7) July 16, 2022
How many star players and franchises that have given Russell every opportunity to succeed have been told by Russ and his people that they didn’t do enough when his game style falls short.. again.
— Panman (@p_a_n_o_G) July 16, 2022
This actually makes it harder for the Lakers to trade him without giving up more picks and taking back salary. Teams know that Russ has to be trades or he will be disgruntled during the season and that could cause problems with the team.
— GDav (@sanpgirl) July 16, 2022
Foucher on Westbrook’s future
Thad Foucher has observed a recent plunge in demand for Westbrook’s services in the league. Therefore, he has advised the former MVP to stay with the Lakers and work with the newly appointed coach Darvin Ham.
After 14 years, Lakers star Russell Westbrook and his agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman have parted ways, Foucher tells ESPN: https://t.co/JdmpX1xnK4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 16, 2022
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“Now, 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“, said the NBA representative.
“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”, he added.
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What is your opinion on Westbrook’s agent leaving his team? Comment down your thoughts.
