Lakers Notes: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Trade Rumors

December 13, 2022

Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook appears to have embraced his role as a reserve, former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

“From the outside, I don’t sense resistance on his part this year,” Van Gundy said, via Mannix. “I don’t see him pouting about coming off the bench. He’s not making passive-aggressive comments in the media. I see acceptance from a guy who’s trying to make it work.”

Nonetheless, the Lakers are reportedly still looking to trade Westbrook, though sources have told Hoops Wire they doubt a Westbrook trade is on the way. Too many teams they’re talking to want both of the Lakers’ next two trade-eligible first-round picks to take on Westbrook’s expiring contract, sources added.

Star forward LeBron James would like to play for another five to seven seasons, point guard Dennis Schroder said James has told him, via Zach Stevens of Lakers Daily.
James turns 38-years old at the end of the month, and per Shroder, would like to play until he’s 45. That wouldn’t be a big surprise, given that one of James’ sports heroes, Tom Brady, is still quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at that age.
The Lakers recently held trade talks with the Knicks, in which they reportedly sought a third team to facilitate a deal. We have the full post here.
Among the players mentioned in those talks, per Shams Charania of The Athletic: Forward Cam Reddish and guard Evan Fournier of the Knicks. The Lakers reportedly have long had an interest in Reddish, who is said to be available.
As we also relayed here, the Lakers have continued to inquire about Pistons wing Bojan Bogdanovic, a pursuit that began over the offseason, when he was still with the Jazz. (Full post.)
The Lakers are primarily focused on talking with Eastern Conference teams when it comes to potential Westbrook trades, sources told Hoops Wire, with the Hornets among them.
Finally, it appears the Knicks engaged the Lakers on a trade for guards Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn. We have the full post here.