Lakers Will Continue to Look at Trades of Russell Westbrook, Picks

A lot is being made of the Lakers’ season-opening loss to the defending champion Warriors, maybe too much. It’s a long season.

But then again, for the Lakers, it’s all about the big picture and what could happen should they return to the playoffs.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, they do have options to improve what still appears to be a fairly clunk roster.

“The Lakers are really devoid of player trade assets,” Wojnarowski said on Get Up. “What they really have available to them that is appealing to other teams (are) unprotected picks in 2027 and 2029. 

“What they’ll continue to look at is packaging those picks with Russell Westbrook‘s expiring $47 million contact to see what would be available on the marketplace.

“They’ve talked a lot with Indiana. Those have cooled. They probably will start up again at some point, if the Lakers are willing to give up both first-round picks in a deal for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.”

Westbrook has also been linked to several other teams — from the Knicks to the Hornets to the Spurs, and beyond.

But it’s become pretty clear that if the Lakers hope to move him, it will take the picks Wojnarowski mentioned, and likely both of them.

Prior to the season, GM Rob Pelinka indicated the Lakers are not looking to move both of their next two trade-eligible first-rounders, but may be willing to move one. Perhaps that will change moving forward.

Wojnarowski reported last week that the Lakers are highly likely to start exploring Westbrook trades again soon, especially things don’t improve, particularly when it comes to Westbrook’s fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

James said after the loss that the Lakers could probably use some more outside shooting.

“To be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting,” he told reporters. “That’s just the truth of the matter. It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team.”