Anyone who had predicted Russell Westbrook would be a Laker to open the 2022–23 season would have been laughed out of the room after the previous campaign. Even at Summer League, when they showed up to the same game but chose to watch it from opposing ends of the gym, there was friction between LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
But no Westbrook trade was possible, at least not one that didn't necessitate the Lakers giving up their only two picks for the remainder of this decade. Even with those picks, no transaction elevated the Lakers to the level of a legitimate contender.
Westbrook is running it back for the Lakers as a result (at least to start the season). If the unexpected friendship between Westbrook and Patrick Beverley wasn't enough indication of what was to follow, there are numerous other reports. One example is that ESPN's Brian Windhorst stated this in his most recent Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to Real GM).
"I don't think the Lakers believe that a Westbrook trade, especially one involving their picks, will help them advance. The executives I speak with have the impression that they will attempt to make the most of what they have and wait for things to turn out in their favor, though this impression could change in a week.
Following a survey of agents and league executives, Eric Pincus at Bleacher Report shares the same opinion.
Until the return package significantly improves the club, rival executives are unsure whether the Lakers will part with even one future first-round choice to avoid Westbrook's contract, let alone two.
This is all nothing new. For over a month, all indications have been pointing in this direction. The Lakers don't have any sweeteners to offer, and they are not eager to give up what they do have for Westbrook, who has an unfavorable value contract at $47 million. Westbrook has enjoyed returning home and playing in Los Angeles, so he will likely begin training camp and the season as a Laker. It simply doesn't fit the court.
The Lakers were reportedly never given significant consideration as the third team in a potential Donovan Mitchell to Knicks trade, according to Windhorst (Mitchell ended up a Cavalier).
Even though a three-way deal between the Knicks, Jazz, and Lakers would have made sense, I'm informed that it was never brought up in the negotiations. For Donovan Mitchell, there were three-team arrangements between the Jazz and Knicks in which players would join the third team. The Lakers were never directly involved with that, even though they certainly didn't make a contract.
Danny Ainge is accumulating picks and would want Los Angeles' 2027 and 2029 picks, so it made sense for the Jazz to want the Lakers involved. However, it made little sense for everyone else, including the Lakers. Los Angeles is only parting with those picks in exchange for a deal that elevates them to the top; in exchange, they would receive players like Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, and Obi Toppin. That is insufficient.
This season, the Lakers are all making the appropriate statements about accepting their responsibilities and playing aggressive defense, things that former coach Frank Vogel could not convince them to do but that new coach Darvin Ham says he will insist upon. Weeks before training camp even begins, everything seems terrific. Once the season starts, the Lakers' ability to deal with difficulty, both internal and external, will be put to the test. Everything is simply worded right now.
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